Introduction
The Pupil Premium is an allocation of additional funding provided to schools to support specific groups of children who are vulnerable to possible underachievement. These include pupils who are entitled to free school meals (FSM), those Looked After by the Local Authority (LAC) and children of armed service personnel. The intended effect of this funding is to accelerate progress, raise attainment and support the pupils in the participation of activities in the wider curriculum.
Schools decide how the allocated pupil premium funding should be spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for these pupils. All schools are required to report on the amount of funding received, how this is being allocated and the impact of any additional support or provision.
For more information on the Pupil Premium, please visit:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/premium
Eligible for Free School Meals?
All Infant school children are now entitled to receive a free school lunch but if you're eligible, it is still important to register your child for ‘free school meals’. The application process is very quick and easy, and your child will directly benefit from the additional funding that the school will receive. The criteria are:
- Income Support (IS)*
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (IBJSA)*
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (from the National Asylum Support Service)
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided you are NOT entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
- Employment Support Allowance (Income Related) (ESA(IR))
*Children who receive IS or IBJSA in their own right are also eligible to receive free school lunches.
If any of these apply to you, please make your application online at http://www.westberks.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.
Pupil Premium Plus Grant for Adopted Children
Adopted children qualify for the Pupil Premium Plus Grant. In order for us to apply for this extra funding, we would be grateful if parents of children that have been adopted on or after 30 December 2005 would provide the school with supporting evidence (for example, the Adoption Court Order). Thank you for your support.
Principles
- We ensure that teaching and learning opportunities meet the needs of all of the pupils.
- We 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.
- In making provision for socially disadvantaged pupils, we recognise that not all pupils who receive free school meals will be socially disadvantaged.
- We also recognise that not all pupils who are socially disadvantaged are registered or qualify for free school meals.
- Pupil premium funding will be allocated following a needs analysis which will identify priority classes, groups or individuals.
- We monitor and evaluate our Pupil Premium spending, avoid spending it on activities that have little impact on achievement, and spend it in ways known to be most effective.