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, and the London Major’s funding ensures that all children will receive free school meals this year. This is vital support for families facing a cost of living crisis, and will ensure that primary school children get at least one nutritious meal a day.

Children may miss out on this additional funding. We do encourage parents to complete online Free-School-Meals  if they think they may be eligible, even if they do not need to claim a free meal, in order for their child to get the extra funding.

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?

If you or your partner receive any of the following benefits you can apply.

• Universal Credit - your household earned annual income must be less than £7,400 after tax and not including any benefits
• Income Support
• Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income related Employment Support Allowance
• Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed part of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit – with no Working Tax Credit and your annual household income is no more than £16,190, as assessed by the Inland Revenue

Children under the compulsory school age who are in full time education may also be able to get Pupil Premium Grant/Free School Meals.

In order for parents and carers to receive free school meals, you will need to complete a free school meals  application online, the school can assist you with the application: https://liverpool.gov.uk/benefits/free-school-meals/

Please read the information below which gives details of our Pupil Premium Grant and how we allocate the funding.