Pupil Premium
What is the Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium is a sum of money allocated to schools each year to narrow attainment gaps between pupils from low income families and their peers. It aims to provide significant funding for disadvantaged children to help close the attainment gap.
The Pupil Premium is allocated to the school and is generated by children:
- who are currently known to be eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)*;
- who have been 'looked after' continuously by a Local Authority for more than 6 months;
- children from service families.
- It now also includes pupils who have been eligible for FSM at any point in the last 6 years - known as Ever6
Currently, pupils in Years 1 and 2 as well as Reception children all receive free school meals, these are paid for by government funding. This provision is called Universal Free School Meals or UFSM.
In addition to this funding, parents in low income families or those that are unemployed can also apply for Pupil Premium funding so that their children can receive free school meals in subsequent school years (Year 3 and onwards). We strongly recommend families to access this support. Pupil Premium funding can also give children access to some discounted educational trips and events throughout their school years.
Please read on to find out how to check if you are eligible and if so, how to apply for this financial support.
What should it be used for?
Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit. However, we are accountable for how we have used the additional funding to support pupils from low-income families. We are required to publish online information about how we have used the premium. This will ensure that parents and others are made fully aware of the attainment of pupils covered by the premium and the extra support they receive.
Are you eligible?
You can register your child for Free School Meals if you receive any of these benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
- Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Please note you are not eligible if you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit.
How to apply
1. Registering is really quick and easy – you can apply online at https://www.gov.uk/apply-
2. If your application is successful, please complete our schools form (shown below) and return to the school office.
3. If you want your child to have a free, healthy meal at lunchtime that’s great – they will get the free meal, saving you more than £500 a year.
4. If you don’t want your child to have the free school meals, they can continue as normal – as long as you qualify and are registered, you still get discounts for some educational activities from the £1,320 extra the school receives.
5. If you have any problems with applying for this support, please call our school office on 02392 824061
No one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.
