Pupil Premium is additional funding given by the Government to schools in England to raise the attainment of specific groups of children that fall into the following categories:
- Pupils who have been entitled to Free School Meals at any point over the last 6 years, due to qualifying for certain benefits
- Pupils who have had a parent in the armed services at any point over the last 6 years
- Pupils that are, or have been, looked after by the local authority or are adopted
Schools are free to spend the pupil premium grant as they see fit. However, they will be held accountable for how they have used the additional funding to support low-income families.
The grant may be spent in the following ways:
- for the purposes of the school, that is for the educational benefit of pupils registered at that school
- for the benefit of pupils registered at other maintained schools or academies
- on community facilities; for example, services whose provision furthers any charitable purpose for the benefit of pupils at the school or their families, or people who live or work in the locality in which the school is situated
Is my child eligible for extra money?
All children who currently qualify for free school meals based on their family circumstances are entitled to pupil premium. This applies if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Universal credit (provided you have a net income of £7,400 or less)
- Income support
- Income-based jobseekers’ allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Support under Part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of state pension credit
- Child tax credit, provided that you are not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of £16,190 or less
Children who are or have been in care, and children who have a parent who is or was in the armed forces, are also entitled to pupil premium.
In addition, pupils who have qualified for free school meals on the above grounds in the past, but are no longer eligible, continue to receive pupil premium for six years.
How do I make a claim?
Apply on-line to Swindon Borough Council Click here to apply or speak to the office who will be pleased to help.
Are there any other grants providing additional funds for children?
Schools receive a grant of £2,345 each year for every pupil who has left local authority care through adoption, a special guardianship order or child arrangements order.
Schools receive an annual grant of £310 for every pupil with a parent who:
- is serving in HM Forces
- has retired on a pension from the Ministry of Defence
This funding is to help with pastoral support.
How is Pupil Premium Used at Nythe?
All children in school are regarded as individuals and treated as special and unique. We understand that the needs of children vary as they move through the school and we seek to meet their needs in the best way we can. We recognise that sometimes children have particular needs that require additional support in school. Parents are encouraged to raise any concerns about a child’s educational or social need with their child’s class teacher at any point in the year; we will seek to ensure there is appropriate support given to children to meet the identified need.
In most cases, the school will seek to provide suitable teaching and learning opportunities within the normal class context, and some children may benefit from additional small group or individual support. Occasionally the needs of a child are significant enough for the school to seek additional support, and sometimes funding, to help meet the needs of a child. In all cases, parents are fully involved in the discussions, advice and support.