What is Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is additional funding for publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities and to close the gaps between them and their peers. It is allocated to children who are looked after by the local authority, those who have been eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) at any point in the last six years (also known as Ever 6 FSM) and for children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces.

The Government believes that the Pupil Premium, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals and their wealthier peers, by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most. Ofsted’s school inspections report on the attainment and progress of disadvantaged pupils who attract the pupil premium. It is for schools to decide how the money is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility.

Are your children eligible for Pupil Premium Funding?

Pupil Premium money is used to directly fund additional teaching of individual pupils. The criteria for funding are the same as for Free School Meals. Parents must receive one of the following benefits:

• income support
• income based jobseeker’s allowance
• income related employment support allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• 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
• guarantee element of state pension credit

 You can apply directly to the local authority. Please contact the school office if you need any further support or advice.