The Pupil Premium is a Government initiative which provides additional funding to schools in order to raise the attainment of children from backgrounds considered to be disadvantaged. The additional funding received by the school is based upon the number of students eligible for free school meals at any time in the preceding six years, which the Department for Education uses as an indicator of disadvantage.

Schools also receive funding for children who have been looked after by the Local Authority continuously for more than six months, children adopted into families from Local Authority care, and children of service personnel.

Nationally, statistics indicate that students who are or who have been in receipt of free school meals may not achieve as well as other students. The aim of this funding is to try to close the ‘achievement gap’ by enabling schools to directly support individual students appropriately. The total additional funding for schools through the Pupil Premium amounted to £2.5 billion last year.

The Pupil Premium represents a very significant investment of public funds, and the Department for Education is understandably anxious to demonstrate the impact of the additional funds. Schools are required to provide annual reports to parents summarising the allocation and use of the Pupil Premium funding received each year.

Our most recent reports on the use of our Pupil Premium funding can be accessed through the links below:

Claiming free school meals

The school currently receives £1345 for each student who is (or has been in the last 6 years) eligible for free school meals, to help them and others in accessing learning experiences and resources. If you are eligible but don’t want your son or daughter to have free school meals, you should still apply so the school receives the £1345 additional funding – your child could continue to bring packed lunches if you so wish. The free school meals system is managed with complete discretion, for further information on eligibility and how to apply click on the links below or fill out the attached form and contact the school office directly.