The pupil premium is additional funding given to schools to reduce the gap in attainment between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

The DfE and the Education, Skills and Funding Agency (ESFA) consider disadvantaged pupils to be those who have been eligible for free school meals at any point in the last six years (known as Ever 6), or those who have been looked after by their LA for more than six months. Pupil premium funding is available to: LA maintained schools, including special schools, pupil referral units, and voluntary-sector alternative provision (AP); special schools not maintained by the LA; and academies and free schools, including special and AP academies.

There is a lot of emphasis placed on using pupil premium effectively. Schools are expected to publish details of how they spend pupil premium and to report on the performance of disadvantaged pupils in comparison with their peers.

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2022-25

Overview – Free School Meals

Parents claiming some benefits can claim free school meals for any of their children who are registered at a Staffordshire school and who would normally be at school at lunch time. School meals are a good way to ensure that your child eats well at lunchtime and you can save yourself time and money.

Even if you don’t want your children to have the meals, claiming them helps their school. The more eligible parents who claim meals, the more funding the school receives.

Apply Here for Free School Meals (opens on Staffordshire County Council Website)