The Pupil Premium is calculated based on children who are known to be eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), service children and children who have been looked after continuously for more than six months. This will also include pupils eligible for FSM at any point in the last six years. From September 2012, schools have been required to publish online information about how they plan to use their allocation and the impact it has had. This ensures that parents and other interested parties are made fully aware of the attainment of pupils and schools’ strategies for ‘narrowing the gap’. The spending of this grant is at the discretion of the governors of the school, and it is our intention to provide support at both ends of the ability spectrum. We have produced a vision and values statement to support our plan for using the Pupil Premium funding.

All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 at state schools in England automatically get free school meals. However, parents and guardians are encouraged to apply for free school meals when they enrol their child in school, as this can help the school to attract additional ‘pupil premium‘ funding to support learning.

From year 3 onwards, children whose parents are getting any of the following are entitled to free school meals:

• Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
• Income Support (IS).
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA).
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA).
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190).
• Working Tax Credit run-on  (the payment you get for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).

Remember, if your application for Free School Meals is successful your school will receive an extra Pupil Premium payment to use in the support of teaching and learning. If you want to apply for Free School Meals you can:

• Apply through the Devon Citizens Portal. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision.
• Phone 0345 155 1019

If you want more information or have any questions about your particular situation please phone the helpline on 0345 155 1019.