What is the Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium was introduced in April 2011. It represents additional funding that the government gives to schools for each pupil considered to be ‘disadvantaged’. The money must be spent on these pupils to support their education, but it is for the school to determine how it is spent.
Why does the Government provide a Pupil Premium?
The government believes that poverty or low income is the single most important factor in predicting a child’s future life chances, with many pupils in low income families having low attainment by age 16. The Government believes that the Pupil Premium is the best way to address these underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their peers by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most.
Who receives the Pupil Premium?
Pupil Premium is allocated to pupils in school year groups from Reception to Year 11 from low income families who are registered for FSM, or who have been registered for FSM at any point in the last six years, together with children that have been in care continuously for 6 months or more. Adopted children who have been in care continuously for 6 months or more prior to adoption are also eligible.
What is the Service Premium?
The Service Premium grant is for pupils who have a parent serving in the armed services. Unlike the Pupil Premium, this grant is not solely for raising attainment but for providing additional (mainly pastoral) support.
Who receives the Service Premium?
Pupils with a parent currently serving in the armed services and supporting their family, pupils who have a parent who died in action and those whose parents have left the service since April 2011 for other reasons, including injury. To be eligible, the parent must be supporting their family, so where they are separated or divorced a pupil will not be eligible.
Applying for Pupil Premium
Although all pupils in years R, 1 and 2 now receive free school meals as part of the Government’s universal school meal provision, this does not mean that any child automatically qualifies for the Pupil Premium. Parents must still apply for free school meals via the government website. This is a quick and simple process: Apply online https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
Pupils do not have to take up their entitlement to a free meal but Local Authorities and school recommend that they do. The government is made aware of each pupil claiming FSMs each term via the school census so they have up-to-date information on those eligible.
How much are the Pupil Premium Grants worth?
The Pupil Premium for the financial year 2023- 2024 is £1455. The Service Premium is now £335 per pupil.
This is significant additional money for schools to spend on supporting disadvantaged pupils and schools are very keen to ensure that all eligible pupils are ‘signed up’. Grants are based on those pupils included in the January schools’ census.
Who should parents contact for further information?
Contact the school office team if you would like to find out more about registering your child for free school meals. This information will be held confidentially by the school.
Pupil Premium Policy
Pupil Premium Strategy and impact report 2020/21
Pupil Premium Strategy and impact report 2021/22
Pupil Premium Strategy 2022/23
Pupil Premium Strategy Impact Report 2022/23
Pupil Premium Strategy 2023/24