Pupil Premium
School Funding for Free School Meals and Service Children
Pupil Premium is funding allocated to schools for a specific group of pupils who have been eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) at any time in the past six years, or who have been in the care of the local authority for more than six months. This funding is intended to help schools provide additional support to these pupils and reduce the attainment gap between them and their peers. For the 2024–25 financial year, the funding amount is £1,480 per eligible pupil.
Pupil Premium is also paid to schools to support service children in terms of their emotional and social well-being and possible impact upon attainment. This year, the amount paid is £340 per child. Additional funding is paid to the school to support children who are either adopted or in the care of the local authority which equates to £2570.
Free school meals are available to children whose parents qualify by meeting the criteria below. Children must be in school all day and they will be provided with a meal at lunchtime that is paid for by the school.
How do I qualify?
Parents/carers who receive any of the following are entitled to free school meals:-
- Income Support (IS)
- Employment Support Allowance (income related) – not contribution related
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance (IBJSA) – not contribution based
- Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit with annual taxable income (as assessed by HMRC)
If you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit you are not eligible to receive free school meals. For further advice, call 0300 123 2224.
How do I apply?
Please ask for a Free School Meal form at the School Office, this can be completed and returned to the school or you can follow this link below and complete online:
Application for Free School Meals
Our Pupil Premium Policy can be found here.