Pupil Premium
What is the Pupil Premium Grant?
The Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to schools to improve the educational outcomes of eligible disadvantaged pupils. The funding enables schools to provide targeted support and interventions that help remove barriers to learning, raise attainment and close the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. Schools are responsible for deciding how best to use this funding based on the needs of their eligible pupils and publish an annual Pupil Premium Strategy Statement.
Pupil Eligibility
Pupil Premium funding is available for:
- Pupils who are eligible for Targeted Free School Meals (FSM) or who have been eligible at any point in the last six years (Ever 6 FSM), including eligible children from families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
- Children who are looked after by a local authority.
- Children who were previously looked after by a local authority in England and Wales, or who left state care through adoption, a special guardianship order, a child arrangements order, or equivalent arrangements from elsewhere in the UK or overseas.
Changes to Free School Meals in September 2026
From 1 September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit are entitled to receive Free School Meals. However, there are now two categories of eligibility:
- Targeted Free School Meals – Children in households meeting the existing income threshold (or other qualifying benefit criteria). These pupils are eligible for Free School Meals and attract Pupil Premiumfunding for their school, along with access to other targeted support.
- Expanded Free School Meals – Children in households receiving Universal Credit whose income is above the targeted threshold. These pupils are entitled to Free School Meals only and do not attract Pupil Premium funding.
If you think your child may be eligible, we encourage you to apply for Free School Meals. Registering your eligibility ensures your child receives any entitlement available to them and, where applicable, enables the school to receive additional Pupil Premium funding to support their education.
For more information about Pupil Premium Funding, click here.
Pupil Premium Strategy 2023-24
Pupil Premium Strategy 2024-25
