Pupil Premium

The Government believes that the Pupil Premium Grant, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their peers by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most.

The Pupil Premium is additional funding provided to schools in England to support specific groups of children who are vulnerable to possible underachievement. Its intended effect is to accelerate progress and raise attainment for these pupils, ultimately aiming to close the attainment gap between them and their peers.

Who is Eligible for the Pupil Premium?

The funding is allocated to schools based on the number of pupils who fall into the following categories:

Free School Meals (FSM) Eligibility: Pupils who are currently eligible for, or have been eligible for, free school meals at any point in the last six years (known as ‘Ever 6 FSM’). This is the main group driving the funding allocation to schools.
- Note on FSM Criteria: For pupils in Year 3 and above, eligibility is generally based on the family receiving certain means-tested benefits (e.g., Universal Credit with an annual net earned income below a set threshold, Income Support, etc.). All children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 in state-funded schools in England are entitled to Universal Infant Free School Meals regardless of family income, but schools only receive the Pupil Premium for those infants who meet the means-tested eligibility criteria.
Looked After Children (LAC) and Previously Looked After Children (PLAC):
- Looked After Children: Pupils who are currently in the care of a local authority. This funding is managed by the Virtual School Head (VSH) in the local authority, who then works with the school to ensure the funding is used effectively.
- Previously Looked After Children: Children who have been adopted from care, or who have left care through a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangements Order.
Children of Service Personnel: Pupils whose parents are serving in the armed forces. This is supported through the Service Pupil Premium (SPP), which is intended to provide pastoral support and help mitigate the negative impact of family mobility or parental deployment.