Pupil Premium
The Pupil Premium funding is an allocation of additional funding provided to schools to support specific groups of children who are vulnerable to possible underachievement. These include pupils who are entitled to free school meals, those looked after by the local authority and children of armed service personnel. The intended effect of this funding is to accelerate progress and raise attainment.
In most cases the Pupil Premium is allocated to schools and is clearly identifiable. It is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium, allocated to schools per FSM (Free School Meal) pupil, is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility.
All schools are required to report on the amount of funding received, how this is being used, and the impact of any work done.
Changes to Free School Meals and Pupil Premium
From September 2026, more children will be eligible for Free School Meals.
If your household receives Universal Credit, your child may now be entitled to Free School Meals, even if your earned household income is above the previous £7,400 threshold.
This change does not automatically mean that all children now receiving Free School Meals will also qualify their school for additional Pupil Premium funding. Pupil Premium is funding given to schools to support eligible pupils, and the existing eligibility rules for this funding remain the same.
If your child was already eligible for Free School Meals under the previous criteria, their existing Pupil Premium eligibility will not be affected by these changes.
We encourage all families receiving Universal Credit to check whether their child is eligible and apply for Free School Meals through their Local Authority’s website.
Important Information
If your child does not have Free School Meals, but may be eligible because of your family's income level, please contact the office (in confidence). Even if you do not wish to have the free meals, this would mean that the school could still claim Pupil Premium funding that may be used to help your child.
There is also an allocation for children who are in care, adopted from care or members of 'service' families.
