What is Pupil Premium and who is eligible for it?

Pupil Premium is an allocation of funding from the Government that is given separately to the main school budget. The government provide this money to help school address the current national underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their peers. The funding is to ensure that provision is in place for those disadvantaged children who need it most.

The pupil premium was introduced in April 2011 and is allocated to schools to work with pupils who have been registered for free school meals at any point in the last six years (known as ‘Ever 6 FSM’). There is also an allocation for children who are “Looked After”, adopted or children of service personnel.

Since the introduction of Free School Meals for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, these children may miss out on this additional funding. We do encourage parents to complete a form if they think they may be eligible, even if they do not need to claim a free meal.

What is the difference between Pupil Premium and Free School Meals (FSM)?

Pupil Premium Grant: The pupil premium is additional funding for publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers.
Free School Meals: this is one aspect of support available to families of lower income. Free School Meals is part of the Pupil Premium Grant

How might a child be eligible for FSM or Pupil Premium Funding?

A child may be eligible to receive the Pupil Premium Grant/Free School Meals if the parent receives any of the following Income Support

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit

Children who get any of the above benefits in their own right (i.e. they get benefits payments directly, instead of through a parent or guardian) can also get the Pupil Premium Grant/Free School Meals.
Children under the compulsory school age who are in full time education may also be able to get Pupil Premium Grant/Free School Meals.

How do I apply for FSM?

If you think that your income is low and you receive any of the benefits listed above, please apply using the website link:

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals

How is the funding spent in school?

Schools can decide how the Pupil Premium is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility. We are accountable for the use we make of the Pupil premium and must demonstrate its impact – further information can be found in our policy and strategy documents below.

Who can I talk to about this?

If you would like confidential help with completing the application, please contact Mrs Shaw.

office@st-margaret-tonbridge.kcsp.org.uk

For more information about our Pupil Premium funding and spending, or you need additional support, please contact Mrs Oubridge, our Headteacher or Mrs Challis, our Pupil Premium Lead. They can be contacted through the school office.

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