Pupil Premium

Introduced in 2011 the Pupil Premium is a government initiative designed to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities to reach their potential and also supporting children and young people with parents in the regular armed forces. It consists of granting additional funding for the targeted pupils.

Currently Pupil Premium funding is given to:

  • Pupils in year groups reception to year 6 recorded as Ever 6 free school meals (£1,550)
  • Looked-after children (LAC) defined in the Children Act 1989 as one who is in the care of, or provided with accommodation by, an English local authority (£2,690)
  • Children who have ceased to be looked after by a local authority in England and Wales because of adoption, a special guardianship order, a child arrangements order or a residence order (£2,690)
  • Pupils in year groups reception to year 11 recorded as Ever 6 service child or in receipt of a child pension from the Ministry of Defence (£350)

The Department for Education states that, “It is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium…. is spent, since [each school is] best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within [its] responsibility.”

In line with the Education Endowment Fund (EEF’s guide to the pupil premium), Eton Porny aligns with the EEF’s 3-tiered approach, which helps schools allocate spending across the following areas:

  • developing high-quality teaching, for example through professional development and recruitment and retention
  • providing targeted academic support, such as one-to-one or small group tuition
  • tackling non-academic barriers to academic success, such as difficulties with attendance, behaviour and social and emotional well-being.

However, the exact balance of spending between categories will vary depending on the specific needs of pupils and the relative size of the school’s pupil premium cohort.

Eton Porny supports the EEF’s goal that ‘Pupil Premium has one central aim: to raise the educational outcomes of disadvantaged pupils. In doing this, it also supports our mission to close the wide and persistent gap in achievement that separates children who grow up in poverty from their more affluent peers’.

Although funding is given to schools to spend as they think best, there is a requirement for every school to publish online how the money has been spent, and what the impact has been in terms of improving the outcomes for Pupil Premium children at that school.

For more details on Pupil Premium funding and accountability for schools please click here

Pupil Premium Registration

All pupils in Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 receive a free school meal called a Universal Infant free school meal (UIFSM).  This follows a recommendation in the School Food Plan to increase the number of children eating good food in schools.

However, UIFSM should not be confused with registering pupils for Free School Meals (FSM) if you are from a lower income family and receive benefits. The principle of registering these pupils remains the same and attracts additional school funding called Pupil Premium of £1,550 per registered pupil. As this funding is specifically targeted at the registered pupils to raise their attainment, it is essential you register your child.

Why should I register for Free School Meals (Pupil Premium)?

If you do qualify for FSM, at Eton Porny, your child will receive:

  • Free Breakfast club daily
  • One free residential trip (in either Year 3 or Year 4)
  • One free school club per half term
  • School funded trips and visits
  • Support with school uniform

Apply for Free School Meals (Pupil Premium Funding) - even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2.

It’s quick and easy using the online form at:

https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/rbwm/ 

In order to find out if your child qualifies please see the section below.

Do you qualify?
You can register your child for Free School Meals if you get any of the following:

  • 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)

How does it work?

  1. Checking whether you qualify and registering is really quick and easy – do it online at:    https://www.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/rbwm/ 
  2. If you want your child to have a free, healthy meal at lunchtime that’s great – they will get the free meal (saving you more than £400 a year) and the school gets extra money to help your child
  3. If you don’t want your child to have a free school meal they can continue as normal – as long as you qualify, and are registered, the school still receives the £1,550 extra.

No one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.