What is the Pupil Premium?

This is funding which is given to schools for every child who has free school meals. The government provides this funding because it believes there is a strong link between financial disadvantage and children’s achievement. Pupil Premium funding is available throughout all the primary years.

If children come off free school meals, they are still eligible for Pupil Premium funding for the six years afterwards: this is referred to as EVER6.

We also receive funding for Children Looked After (children who are in care); children who are adopted and a smaller amount for children from service families.

How does the school access the money?

We fill in a school census several times a year. We have to say on the census how many children we have on free school meals. The funding is multiplied by the number of children.

How can I find out if my child is eligible for free school meals and the Pupil Premium?

Please ask at the office as we can answer your questions and help you apply for free school meals. There is an application form to complete and submit to the local authority. 

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Universal Credit with a household income of less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
• Income-Based Jobseekers' Allowance
• Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit, not entitled to Working Tax Credit and household income less than £16,190
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credit 'run on' – the payment you receive for a further four weeks after you finish work

Taken from Lancashire County Council's website https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/free-school-meals/?page=2

Does my child automatically receive Pupil Premium because s/he is on Universal Infants' Free School Meals (UIFSM)?

No, all the infants can have UIFSM but we wouldn't receive the extra PP funding for your child unless you are eligible for FSM and fill in an application form.

Please ask us if you are unsure about this.

Can my child still benefit from the Pupil Premium even if they are on packed lunches?

Yes. If your family is eligible for free school meals but chooses to have packed lunches, your child would still be eligible for the Pupil Premium. This funding would come into school to benefit your child. Please ask at the office for further information or contact the Area Education Office on 01772 533608.

Will my child lose the Pupil Premium funding if they stop having free school meals?

No, the school continues to receive the funding for 6 years. If the child moves on to high school in that time, the high school would receive the continued funding. This is called EVER6 funding.

What is the Pupil Premium spent on?

Schools have the freedom to decide what the funding is spent on as different schools receive different amounts. The only criterion is that it impacts upon the achievement of those children and enables them to succeed in the same way as other children. Ofsted check on the impact of the funding on the progress of these children. Our Pupil Premium Strategy details how Balshaw Lane spends its Pupil Premium funding. 

Please read the attached Strategy documents and feel welcome to ask us any questions about how we support your child individually.

Additional funding in 2023-24

Government research has shown that disadvantaged children may have made less progress during the pandemic, compared to non-disadvantaged children. To improve the progress of disadvantaged children, the government has funded the recovery premium.