Pupil Premium

The Pupil Premium was introduced in April 2011. It is an additional form of funding that the Government provides to help to address any inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and children who have a more affluent background.

The Pupil Premium is allocated to schools for children from low-income families who are currently known to be eligible for FSM, and for children who have been looked after continuously for more than six months. Each January the Government holds a census of all schools. This lets them know how many pupils are eligible for Pupil Premium funding. Based on this information schools receive the grant in April for the next financial year.

Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit. From September 2012, schools are required to publish online information about how they have used the Premium. This will ensure that parents and others are made fully aware of the attainment of pupils covered by the Premium.