What is Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium is a government scheme that was introduced in 2011 to improve the education of underprivileged children. It was launched after several research papers suggested that there was a significant gap between the educational performance of disadvantaged children and their classmates. In contrast to the rest of their peers, many children who are eligible for pupil premium have to face extra challenges daily. These challenges can include attendance issues, lack of confidence and difficulty communicating with others.

The scheme aims to grant schools with extra funding so that they’re able to provide additional support for children who are faced with these types of challenges. It’s objective is to help schools unlock the learning potential of their pupils and provide them with a better education. It also aspires to narrow the gap of educational development between children of underprivileged backgrounds and their peers.

Who qualifies for pupil premium?

Children can be eligible for pupil premium for a variety of reasons. These include their family circumstances, such as their income or occupations, and whether or not they’re in care. If a child is eligible, a school will receive the necessary amount of funding for each child per school year. For a school to receive funding, they must have a pupil that falls into one of these categories:

• Primary schools receive £1345 for each pupil that is currently eligible for free school meals based on their family income.
• Primary schools receive £1345 for every pupil that has previously received free school meals based on their family income. Pupils are eligible for funding for six years since they last received a free school meal.
• All schools receive £2345 for every pupil that is currently in some form of care.
• All schools receive £2345 for every pupil that has previously been in some form of care and has since been adopted or placed into a child guardianship order.
• All schools will receive £310 for every pupil that has a parent currently serving in the armed forces, or receiving a pension from the Ministry of Defence.

Please read the information below which gives details of our Pupil Premium Grant, how we allocate funding and an evaluation of last years Pupil Premium spend:

Free School Meals

You will be aware that Key Stage One pupils are entitled to free school meals through the new government scheme.  However, there is also a separate entitlement for some families to register for Pupil Premium.

If your child is eligible for Pupil Premium, the school will receive an additional sum of money which can be used to support learning.  In addition it may be used to subsidise some school visits and residential trips, access to after school clubs and activities as well as providing some items of school uniform for  your child.

If you are in receipt of benefits or allowances, or if your family income is below £16,190 you may be entitled to apply for this premium.

Please call 0115 8041240 to register or ask at the school office.