Principles
Pupil Premium is additional funding given to schools in an effort to raise attainment between children from low-income families and their peers, plus for children in care. At our Academy we are able to decide how to spend Pupil Premium funding to ensure that suitable additional provision is in place. We are held to account as to how we spend the additional funding to support pupils from low income families and this is published on our website annually.
It is, therefore, really important to make sure all children who qualify are registered for free school meals even if you choose to send a packed lunch for them. All children are all now entitled to a free school meal, however it is important that children who are eligible are still registered by parents/guardians so that the additional funding is provided.
Funding Criteria
Pupil premium funding is allocated to eligible schools based on the number of:
- pupils who are recorded as eligible for free school meals, or have been recorded as eligible in the past 6 years (referred to as Ever 6 FSM)
- children previously looked after by a local authority or other state care, including children adopted from state care or equivalent from outside England and Wales
Pupil premium is not a personal budget for individual pupils, and schools do not have to spend pupil premium so that it solely benefits pupils who meet the funding criteria. It can be used:
- to support other pupils with identified needs, such as those who have or have had a social worker, or who act as a carer
- for whole class interventions which will also benefit non-disadvantaged pupils
Pupil premium funding is allocated to local authorities based on the number of:
- looked-after children, supported by the local authority
- pupils who meet any of the eligibility criteria and who attend an independent setting, where the local authority pays full tuition fees
- For pupils who are looked-after children, funding should be managed by the local authority’s virtual school head (VSH) in consultation with the child’s school.
Details of the funding criteria for SPP is outlined in the Service Pupil Premium section.
How to apply for Free School Meals
You can apply for your children to receive free school meals if you are receiving certain welfare benefits.
All children get this year get free school meals. If you receive any of the following benefits below you should still apply so that the school gets extra funding.
This money could go towards things like learning support and after-school activities.
Am I eligible?
You must already be receiving any of the following benefits to apply:
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
- Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ – the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit – you must annually take home £7,400 or less in Universal Credit payments. This equals an average of £616.67 per month in net earned income (after deductions).
To apply to Bexley for Free School Meals, please click here.