In 2011/12 the Government launched the Pupil Premium funding allocation to schools to help improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and close the achievement gap
Up until July 2026, the money given to schools was based on the number of pupils eligible for Free School Meals, including all children who have been eligible for FSM within the last 6 years (known as Ever 6). Starting in September 2026, all families entitled to Universal Credit became entitled to Free School Meals. Only those pupils meeting the "Targeted FSM" criteria (household income under £7,400) remain part of the Ever 6 cohort that generates pupil premium funding. Students qualifying purely under the expanded Universal Credit rules get free meals only, not the extra pupil premium allocation.
Pupils who were already eligible under the older, stricter FSM criteria retain their Ever 6 protection status for six years, even if household financial circumstances shift.
There is also an allocation for children who are in the care of the Local Authority.
Our Strategy Statement, based upon a three-year plan but reviewed each year, sets out how we plan to spend that money in the most effective and efficient way, and the termly impact report shows how effective the strategies used have been in narrowing the gap between the education of those pupils deemed 'disadvantaged' and those 'non-disadvantaged'. We also compile case studies of our children, sharing their successes and looking at what we can do to support them further.
The money that we receive is used to address the challenges and barriers to learning that some of our children may face, and since the introduction of the mainstream inclusion fund, the Pupil Premium Strategy sits along side this in enabling us to reflect on how we meet the needs of all of our children. The challenges that our children face may be due to mental, social or emotional need or relate specifically to academic needs. Sometimes, the barrier to accessing a more fulfilling experience at school is purely financial. In some cases, our children eligible for the Pupil Premium Grant, may also be on the Special Educational Needs register and therefore need additional support for specific learning needs. Therefore, it is essential that we have plenty of joined up thinking in how we support our children to reach their potential socially, emotionally, mentally and academically.
There are many ways in which we can do this. Mrs Walker, our Inclusion Practitioner, Mrs Ball, our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, and Miss English, our (apprentice) Thrive worker, work closely Mr Parker, our Pupil Premium Lead, Mrs Helyar, our SENDCO, Mrs Marsland, our Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, and class teachers and teaching assistants to discuss provision and what resources and strategies can be utilised to close any gaps in attainment and ensure that ALL of our pupils have the chance to succeed. Sometimes, small group interventions, led by both teachers and TAs, may be beneficial to work on core literacy and maths skills, whereas some of our funding has also been used for therapies, such as Drawing and Talking, Lego, Cognitive Behavioural and Play - all of these are useful in supporting our children socially, emotionally and mentally so that they are in a more positive and happy state of mind to learn in school. The PPG may also be used to enable access to school trips, wraparound care and clubs, all of which further support the children's - and families' wellbeing.
Pupil Premium is a standing agenda item on our BIDE governing body committee and is discussed at all full governors meetings. Our Pupil Premium link governor, Karen Smyth, leads the challenge to ensure that the money is being managed well and utilised for the most positive impact on our vulnerable pupils.
Please find links below to our PP policy and strategy statement. If you would like more information or think you may be eligible for your child to receive Pupil Premium funding, then please go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pupil-premium-information-for-schools-and-alternative-provision-settings and let our office know.
