Pupil Premium
What is Pupil Premium?
The pupil premium is a grant allocated to local authorities and schools with pupils on roll that are known to have been eligible for free school meals (FSM) at any time in the last six years. Each of these pupils attract a specific amount of funding each year which must be spent on them to improve their education. Schools will have the freedom to spend the premium in a way they think will best support the raising of attainment for those pupils who are eligible.
Who is eligible?
Do any of the following apply to you?
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
If so, you are eligible to claim Free School Meals and your child will receive the Pupil Premium Funding to help with their individual needs in school.
Families with No Recourse to Public Funds
The government have permanently extended FSM eligibility to children in all households with no recourse to public funds (NRPF), subject to maximum income thresholds.
If you think you may be eligible, please follow the link below for further explanation of who these groups are. If you believe you may be eligible please contact the school office.
It is vital for parents to register their child as eligible for FSM so that Phoenix Infant Academy receives their maximum Pupil Premium entitlement.
We are aware that there a number of parents that do not take up the opportunity for their children to receive free school meals. This could be for a number of reasons which may include that their children prefer packed lunch or that they feel their child may somehow be stigmatised by receiving free school meals.
We would firstly like to reassure parents that receiving free school meals is a completely confidential matter and children who receive free school meals receive exactly the same dinner as a child who is not receiving free school meals. Secondly, your child does not have to have the school dinner provided and can carry on with their usual arrangement.
The school and your child benefit hugely in receiving the Pupil Premium funding.
Please enquire at the school office if you need assistance in registering for Free School Meals.
