The Purpose of Pupil Premium
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 (FSM) and their wealthier peers by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most.
For pupils from low-income families in non-mainstream settings, it is for the local authority to decide how to allocate the Pupil Premium. For instance, it could be allocated to the setting where they are being educated or held by the local authority to spend specifically on additional educational support to raise the standard of attainment for these pupils. The authority must consult non-mainstream settings about how the Premium for these pupils should be used.
The DfE says:
Schools are free to spend the pupil premium as they see fit. However, they will be held accountable for how they have used the additional funding to support pupils from low-income families. New measures will be included in the performance tables that will capture the achievement of those deprived pupils covered by the pupil premium.
How can parents and carers contribute to the success of the Pupil Premium scheme?
If your child is eligible for free school meals, it is worth registering them even if they’re not going to have the school lunch, and even if they entitled to a free dinner under the governments Universal Infant Free School Meal scheme. It will have a direct impact on the funding and will maximize the support we can provide.
Parental support and involvement is a key factor in raising standards. If you would like help or advice with supporting your child, or if you are unsure how to apply to register for free school meals, please contact Miss Jessica Mansell who is administrator for the Pupil Premium provision.
Who is entitled to Free School Meals?
Your child may be entitled to Free School Meals, if you are entitled to receive any of the following:
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit
See current Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2024/25 below:
Pupil Premium Plan 2024