The pupil premium was introduced by the government in April 2011. It was designed to give additional money to support schools in raising the attainment of children. The premium is used to support students who are currently on Free School Meals (FSM) or have been registered for them in the past six years. Students in care, who have been looked after by local authorities for more than six months also continue to qualify for the Pupil Premium.

Which pupils qualify for free school meals?

Your child may be eligible for free school meals if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (as long as you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

• Working Tax Credit run-on

• Universal Credit

In addition, schools must provide free school meals to all pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2. This is known as universal infant free school meals.

We think there may be many families who could be eligible but have not applied for a range of reasons. 

What are the benefits of claiming free school meals?

School meals are a good way to ensure that your child eats well at lunchtime, and they can also save you time and money.

Claiming free school meals also helps the school. We get extra funding, known as the ‘pupil premium’, for every eligible pupil who is registered.

What is the pupil premium?

The pupil premium grant is funding provided to schools to help all pupils reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation.

Pupils may be eligible if they:

• Are registered for free school meals

• Have been registered for free school meals at any point since May 2010

• Are, or have been, in care

• Have parents in the armed forces

How is the pupil premium funding used?

The Pupil Premium money could make a big difference to your child’s future; more support with key academic skills, clubs, mentoring, specialist training for staff, better resources, social and emotional support.

We ask that you help us to help your child by ensuring that you have checked to see if you are eligible for the premium money. 

You will find more information about how we use our pupil premium funding on our website.

How can I ensure the school gets the funding?

The more eligible pupils that are registered for free school meals, the more funding the school receives.

Registering does not mean your child has to take up free school meals if they don’t want to.

You should still register for free school meals even if:

• Your child already receives universal infant free school meals

• You would rather your child had a different meal, such as a packed lunch

We are committed to ensuring all our children make the best possible progress. We track the achievements of every child on a regular basis and do all we can to make sure each child achieves his/her potential.

The Pupil Premium has allowed us to continue and extend what we already do - to monitor children's progress and to give additional support when required.  Children are certainly not singled out or stigmatised for getting some extra attention and we would never publicly identify a child in front of other children for receiving free school meals or for being in care.