Pupil Premium

What is Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium is an amount of additional money, currently £1455 per year, which the Government gives schools for every child that receives free school meals, or has received them at any time during the last 6 years. Funding is also available for looked after children and those who are from armed forces families.

Why do schools receive Pupil Premium?

This is one of the government’s key education policies. It is based on findings that show that, as a group, children who have been eligible for free school meals at any point in time, have consistently lower educational attainment than those who have never been eligible. 

What is Pupil Premium used for?

The Pupil Premium funding is allocated to schools and it is for schools to decide how the funding will be spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility.  Pupil Premium is there to make sure that every child has the same opportunity, no matter what their background or family circumstance. For example, if a child struggles with their learning, school staff can identify what they find difficult, why they find it difficult and then fund the extra support that they need. 

What can parents and carers do to help?

If parents and carers believe their child is eligible for free school meals, they should contact the school office to fill in an online form.  Help is available with this, if needed.  Even if their child brings a packed lunch, they can still apply.  The entitlement to free school meals unlocks Pupil Premium funding which we are then able to use to make a difference to each child’s education.  Children are individually monitored to make sure that their needs are being catered for and that the extra support is achieving the desired results.

Pupil Premium Principles

1. 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.
2. Measures will be included in the performance tables that will capture the achievement of those pupils eligible for Pupil Premium.
3. Schools are required to publish online information about how they have used the Premium. This will ensure that parents and others are made fully aware of the attainment of pupils covered by the Premium.
4. Achievement gaps close by ensuring that any pupils at risk of underachieving are identified early and supported.