Background

The Pupil Premium (PP) is specific additional funding provided to support the education of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals. (FSM) There is a clear expectation that it will be used to close the attainment gap for those pupils.  

Pupils in the following categories attract funding:

• Children of statutory school age from low-income families who are known to be eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) in both mainstream and non-mainstream settings.
• Children who have been ‘looked after’ (LAC) for 1 day or more.
• Children who were adopted from care on or after 30 December 2005, left care under a special guardianship order or residence order.
• Children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces.
• Pupils eligible for FSM at any point in the last six years (known as the Ever 6 FSM measure).

It is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium grant is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional funding should be provided. However, each school is accountable for their use of the funding.

Our principles for using Pupil Premium

To ensure that appropriate provision is made for pupils who belong to vulnerable groups, we are conscious that the needs of disadvantaged pupils are adequately assessed and addressed. In making provision for disadvantaged pupils, we recognise that not all pupils who receive free school meals will fall into this category. We also recognise that not all pupils who are disadvantaged are registered or qualify for free school meals.

We reserve the right to allocate the Pupil Premium funding to support any pupil or groups of pupils the school has legitimately identified as being disadvantaged or in danger of low achievement and attainment.