Pupil Premium funding was introduced in April 2011 and is additional funding that is used to support educational attainment for disadvantaged families.
The funding is allocated to schools for children:
- who have been eligible for free school meals at any point in the last six years.
- who have been looked after continuously for more than six months.
- where a parent serves in the armed forces.
Criteria for free school meals:
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income Related ESA (Employment and Support Allowance)
- Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit and with an annual income of less than £16,190 and not receiving Working Tax Credit.
- Working Tax Credit 'run on' – the payment you receive for a further four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
If you meet any of these criteria we do urge you to register in order for your child to receive free school meals and for school to receive the pupil premium grant.
Pupil Premium Funding 2025-2026
| Pupil eligibility criteria | Amount of funding per primary aged child | Funding paid to |
| Pupils who are eligible for free school meals - or have been previously (classed as Ever 6) | £1,515 | School |
| Pupils who have been adopted from care or who have left care | £2,630 | School |
| Pupils who are looked after by the local authority | £2,630 | Local Authority |
| Pupils who have a parent who is in the armed services | £350 | School |
Pupil Premium Strategy 2025-2028
