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Pupil Premium Strategy
Pupil Premium is the funding allocated to schools based on the number of children eligible for free school meals.
The funding is intended to support children who may be vulnerable to underachieving or disadvantaged due to family financial circumstances.
Our statement details the school’s use of pupil premium funding. It outlines our pupil premium strategy and how we intend to spend the funding over time. Please read the information below which gives details of our Pupil Premium Grant and how we allocate the funding.
Could your child be eligible for Free School Meals?
We are writing to let you know about recent changes from the Department for Education (DfE) regarding Free School Meals and Pupil Premium funding.
Important changes from September 2026 – Free School Meal eligibility
The Department for Education has announced that Free School Meal eligibility will be extended from September 2026, meaning that many more children and families may qualify for support.
The Department have also announced the end of transitional protection which means all parents whose children are currently in receipt of a free school meal, must re-apply and show current eligibility. Without this current eligibility check the school must remove a child from being eligible and they will not receive a free school meal in September.
We encourage all parents and carers to check their eligibility, even if they have checked before, as circumstances and eligibility criteria have changed.
From September 2026 Free School Meal eligibility will be extended into two brackets. The current criteria remain and this will form the ‘Targeted group’ which will receive Free School Meals and the school will receive Pupil Premium Funding, the Department are then extending Free School Meal eligibility for pupils where households are in receipt of Universal Credit, regardless of household income, this will form the ‘Expanded Group’ which will receive Free School Meals only.
Checking whether your child is eligible for Free School Meals is one of the simplest ways to access support that may be available for your family while also helping our school secure additional funding for those in the targeted group. If you qualify, your child may benefit from extra opportunities and support, and the school may receive funding that helps us provide the very best education for all pupils.
What is Pupil Premium?
Pupil Premium is extra funding provided by the government to help schools support children and improve educational outcomes. This funding can be used in many ways, including:
• Additional teaching and learning support
• Resources and equipment for learning
• Educational visits and enrichment activities
• Pastoral and wellbeing support
• Programmes that help children thrive both academically and personally
Every eligible child helps secure valuable funding that benefits both individual pupils and the wider school community.
Could my child be eligible?
Your child may be entitled to Free School Meals if you receive one or more of the following:
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual income is below the qualifying threshold)
If you are unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to check. It only takes a few minutes and could make a real difference.
If your child has a packed lunch…
Even if your child prefers to bring a packed lunch or chooses not to take a school meal, we still encourage you to apply if you are eligible. Registering for Free School Meals helps the school receive additional Pupil Premium funding, which can be used to provide extra support, resources and opportunities for all pupils.
Why is it worth checking?
If your child is eligible for Free School Meals, there may be benefits for your family as well as for the school. Depending on the support available through our school and local authority, eligibility may help your child access additional opportunities, resources and financial support.
Registering also ensures that your child is recognised as eligible should further support or funding become available in the future.
Even if your circumstances have changed recently, or you are unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to check. It only takes a few minutes and could make a real difference to your child.
Checking is quick and easy
Families can check their eligibility using the LGfL Free School Meals Eligibility Checker on the link below:
The process is simple, confidential and usually takes just a few minutes. In most cases, all you will need is your National Insurance number and some basic personal details.
If you would like any help with checking your eligibility or completing an application, please contact the school office. We are always happy to help, and any information you provide will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
By checking your eligibility, you could help your child access additional support and opportunities while also helping our school secure valuable funding for the benefit of all children.
If you think you may be eligible, please take a few minutes to check today. Even if you are unsure, it is always worth checking.
If you think you may be eligible for Free School Meals please use the checker detailed below.
Free School Meal Eligibility Checker
Pupil Premium Strategy 2024 - 2027