Low social mobility and lack of educational opportunity is arguably the biggest social challenge of our times: the income gap between the richest and poorest in society continue to widen, while education opportunities remain overwhelmingly dominated by children from the most privileged homes.

Sutton Trust, 2014

What is the Pupil Premium?

It is additional funding given to schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils.

The Department for Education cites the following as the key issue behind the introduction of the policy:

We believe it is unacceptable for children’s successes to be determined by their social circumstances. We intend to raise levels of achievement for all disadvantaged pupils and to close the gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.

The Pupil Premium is additional funding is allocated to schools on the basis of the number of students:

• Who are or have ever been eligible for free school meals (FSM) at any point over the last six years (known as ‘Ever 6 FSM).
• All current looked after children (LAC) and for those who have been looked after for one day or more previously, as well as children who have been adopted from care or have left care under a special guardianship order or a residency order since 30th December 2005.
• Children of current service personnel or ex-service personnel who have served within the last four years. This is called the Service Premium.
• At Meadhurst we are committed to closing the attainment gap that currently exists between Pupil Premium students and their peers which is outlined in our strategy below.

How must the funding be used?

The purpose of the Pupil Premium is to help schools to provide targeted support for vulnerable children- not necessarily just children who qualify for FSM.

It is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium, allocated to schools per FSM pupil, is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility.

Source - DfE website

Therefore, there is no requirement for the money to be spent on individual children simply because they fall into this category.

However, it is expected that the funding will be used to support, as necessary, children in this group so that this group have every opportunity to make the same progress as their peers. Meadhurst is held accountable for their use of the additional funding to support pupils from low-income families and the impact this has on educational attainment. 

At Meadhurst we endeavour to use the Pupil Premium to identify and remove barriers to learning to ensure that disadvantaged children leaving Meadhurst achieve at least in line with their peers. Similarly, we invest in the curriculum to provide opportunities for all children to participate in high quality sports as well as using a wide range of in school experiences, educational visits and residential trips to bring the curriculum to life.

Are you eligible for Free School Meals?

A parent may wish to check their child's eligibility for Pupil Premium funding even if you don't want your child to eat school meals. Every child who is eligible generates valuable income for the school. To do this you will need to contact the school office who will be able to help you with this process.  Email: info@meadhurst.thpt.org.uk 

Eligibility Criteria

Parents/guardians in England do not have to pay for school meals if they receive 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
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
• Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

Please find below the 2020-2023 Pupil Premium Strategy, which outlines the allocation of Pupil Premium funding for this academic year.

Pupil Premium Strategy 2020-2023