Pupil Premium

What is the Pupil Premium?

Did you know that just registering your child for Free School Meals means that the school gets extra money? The Government allocates money to schools to help children from lower income families do their very best, to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers.  This funding is called a ‘Pupil Premium’.

Free school meals are provided when parents/carers meet certain eligibility criteria. We will ensure that each child who is eligible for free school meals receive a meal which is filling and nutritionally balanced. Research has shown that productivity and attainment can be improved when children eat balanced meals. Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically qualify for Free School Meals (FSM) under the universal FSM scheme. However, if you meet certain qualifying criteria for Free School Meals, this could raise extra funding for our school. It is therefore important to complete an application form to ensure our school receives as much funding as possible.

How is the Pupil Premium different to Free School Meals?

The Pupil Premium Grant is different from Free School Meals for Reception – Year 2 pupils.From September 2014, all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in state-funded schools in England became eligible for free school meals. This scheme is called Universal Infant Free School Meals and provides every child in these year groups with a nutritious meal at lunch time. Even if your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2 and already takes advantage of the free school meals available it is still important to complete the FSM application form to unlock this additional funding.

From Year 3 onwards, the entitlement to Free School Meal (FSM) continues to be available to all pupils (including infants) whose parents receive certain benefits and who are registered to receive one. However, in common with most schools, it is likely that a number of parents/carers whose children attend our school fail to claim FSMs, even though they are entitled to them.

How would my child and the school benefit from Pupil Premium Funding / beingFree School Meal (FSM) eligible?

For each child eligible for the Pupil Premium, the school will receive £1,480 extra funding per year for six years from the Government. Primarily, this money is used to raise the attainment of pupils from lower income families. At Cale Green we also use this funding to:

• Ensure that teaching and learning opportunities meet the needs of all pupils.

  • Ensure that appropriate provision is made for pupils who belong to vulnerable groups, this includes ensuring that the needs of socially disadvantaged pupils are adequately assessed and addressed.

·Provide free breakfast club places for eligible children

·Provide a daily free school meal for eligible children

·Fund tutoring and catch-up support after school

·Employ a family and child support worker

·Employ a speech and language assistant and bilingual support worker

·Subsidise residential and class trips – supporting poverty proofing the school day

·Provide weekly guitar tuition and instruments for 90 children in UKS2

·Purchase new learning schemes in phonics, writing, spelling and handwriting

·Fund daily homework support in the form of a lunchtime club with a member of staff

We also recognise that not all pupils who are socially disadvantaged are registered or qualify for free school meals. We reserve the right to allocate Pupil Premium funding to support any pupil or groups of pupils that we legitimately identify as being socially disadvantaged.

Pupil premium funding will be allocated following a needs analysis which will identify priority classes, groups or individuals. Limited funding and resources means that not all children receiving free school meals will be in receipt of pupil premium interventions at one time.

How can I find out if my child is eligible for Pupil Premium Funding?

All children who are at school are eligible if they have and have parents who are claiming:

·Income Support

·Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based)

·Employment and Support Allowance (income-based)

·Child Tax Credit based on income below £16,190

·The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

·Asylum Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

·Working Tax Credit 'run on' (this is the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

·NOTE: Families who receive any level of Working Tax Credit are not entitled to free school meals under the Pupil Premium Funding

How to apply (Option 1)

The quickest and easiest way to apply is through a confidential online application form which parents and carers can complete in the privacy of their own homes. This can be found by clicking on this link:

https://www.stockport.gov.uk/start/free-school-meals-application-form

How to apply (Option 2)

School office staff can also apply for the Pupil Premium for you. All we will need is your name, National Insurance number and your date of birth. This process would also be confidential and can be accessed by clicking the link below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19qaXPjd2F_plBmP755omVQhBntHhzF-r0z1bhtdxqT0

Who is the Pupil Premium Lead in school?

If you have any questions regarding the Pupil Premium, please contact Mrs Nicola Lewis (Deputy Headteacher) in the first instance.