Pupil Premium and Free School Meals
The pupil premium is additional funding for publicly funded schools in England. It is designed to help disadvantaged pupils of all abilities perform better and close the gap between them and their peers. This budget includes pupils who are currently entitled to free school meals, have been entitled to free school meals in the past six years (FSM ‘Ever 6’), children who are cared for or adopted from care and children whose parents are in the armed forces.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pupil-premium-information-for-schools-and-alternative-provision-settings
How are pupils identified?
In order to ensure that any children eligible for Pupil Premium are identified, the school will communicate regularly with parents/carers to request they apply for the additional funding as it is not something schools are able to do themselves. The process of applying for this funding differs across boroughs and is regularly reviewed and adapted. For the latest information on how to apply for the funding for Sutton residents, please follow the link below:
Eligibility
Families in receipt of one of the following benefits
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support from NASS (National Asylum Support Service) under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of no more than £16,190
- Working Tax Credit run-on
- Universal Credit.
How do we spend the funding?
As a school we are accountable for how we will use this additional funding. Schools are required to publish online information regarding how they have used the premium and the impact it has made.
Reporting on spending and impact
As a school we report on the impact of PP spending in school each term to the Governing Local Committee. Additionally, school is required to review the impact of PP spending with the current strategy.
What is our approach?
Our approach for many years has mirrored that recommended by the Education Endowment Fund (EEF) in that it promotes:
- Quality first teaching strategies and best practice
- Additional time and support to allow all children to achieve and succeed
- Wider strategies to ensure non-academic factors are promoted to allow all children to participate, achieve and enjoy their education and all that school can offer
https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/evidence-summaries/pupil-premium-guide/
At WPA our approach is simple; we invest our time in getting to know our pupils, not just their academic ability and progress, but as a whole child. We work hard to fully understand what support a pupil may need to help them achieve in a specific area. When pupils first sign up they will receive a free school jumper and a PE top or bookbag.
Some examples of provisional arrangements are listed below, but this list is not exhaustive:
- Provide ongoing staff training on the best approaches to raise standards and improve progress;
- Provide individual and group support (academic support, learning support, social or emotional support);
- Fund additional academic support for children eligible for the pupil premium;
- Remove or reduce financial barriers enabling children eligible for the pupil premium to fully participate in school life and access wider experiences: through funding or subsidising school trips, join extra-curricular clubs, learn a musical instrument, have the correct uniform, technology for home learning and other resources
- Deploy a Family Support Worker (FSW) who will support many pupils and families, including those in receipt of Pupil Premium.
Previous Year's Funding
In 2022/23 the Pupil Premium Budget was £174,565
In 2021/22 the Pupil Premium Budget was £187,250
In 2020/21 the Pupil Premium Budget was £178,640
In 2019/20 the Pupil Premium Budget was £203,508
In 2018/19 the Pupil Premium Budget was £212,718
In 2017/18 the Pupil Premium Budget was £213,158
In 2016/17 the Pupil Premium budget was £213,921
Pupil Premium Strategy 2023-24
Pupil Premium Strategy 2022-23
Pupil Premium Strategy 2021-22
Pupil Premium Strategy 2020/21
PPG Strategy 2020-21
How to register for free school meals and pupil premium
If you believe that your child is eligible for free school meals and this additional funding but you have not registered, please use the link below to register now.
Apply for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium
Please note that if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and receives Universal Infant Free School Meals you will still need to register for Free School Meals in order for the school to receive the additional Pupil Premium.