At Greenfields, approximately 44% of our children are eligible for Pupil Premium funding, which is above the national average. It is our responsibility to ensure that the funding is used to the best effect to ensure that children receive their full entitlement.
What is the Pupil Premium? The Pupil Premium was introduced in April 2011 and is additional funding that the government gives to schools for each pupil who is deemed to be ‘disadvantaged’. The money must be spent to support the education of pupils who are eligible , but it is for the school to decide how it is spent. More information about this can be found on the Department of Education’s website: www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/premium
Who receives the Pupil Premium? Pupil Premium is allocated to pupils from the Reception Year right up to Year 11, who are registered for Free School Meals (FSM), or who have been registered for FSM at any point in the last six years (this is known as ‘Ever 6’). Pupil Premium is also allocated to adopted children and children who have been in care continuously for 6 months or more (known as ‘looked after’ children).
Who is eligible for free school meals? Children are eligible for free school meals if their parents or carers receive any one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Pension Credit Guarantee
- Child Tax Credit without Working Tax Credit and an annual taxable income below £16,190.
What is the Service Premium? The Service Premium is for pupils with a parent currently serving in the armed services and supporting their family, pupils who have a parent who died in action and those pupils whose parents have left the service since April 2011 for other reasons, including injury. To be eligible, the parent must be supporting their family, so where they are separated or divorced a pupil will not be eligible.
What is Early Years Pupil Premium? The Early Years Pupil Premium is additional funding that the government gives to schools for each pupil of 3 or 4 years old, who is deemed to be ‘disadvantaged’.
How do parents register their child’s entitlement for Pupil Premium? Parents and carers in North Tyneside are being urged to register their children for free school meals, if they are eligible. Many parents aren’t aware that they are entitled to the support, or simply haven’t registered, however if they don’t register, it means that the school misses out on vital government funding. Registering for free school meals in North Tyneside is easy, there are no lengthy or complicated applications forms and there is no obligation for your child to take school meals just because they are registered. Simply call North Tyneside Council’s Student Support Service on 0191 643 2288 to find out if you are eligible, and to complete a short telephone application. You will need your National Insurance number when you call. Alternatively, you can find out more and download an application form by clicking on the link to the North Tyneside website
How must schools spend the Pupil Premium? Funding is not ring-fenced and schools are free to spend the money as they wish in order to improve pupils’ attainment. Schools must monitor the impact of their chosen approaches to improve provision for pupils entitled to the Pupil Premium.
How are schools held accountable? The Ofsted Inspection Framework ensures that inspectors focus on the achievement of those pupils who are eligible for the Pupil Premium. Also, the Department for Education’s performance tables give details about the group achievements of pupils entitled to free school meals and the Pupil Premium. Information about individual schools can be found here on the Department for Education’s website.
How are parents informed about the use of the Pupil Premium? The school’s governing body must publish information about Pupil Premium expenditure on the school-website every year. Information about individual pupils is not shared and they will never be identified through any published information.
How has the Pupil Premium been used at Greenfields and what difference has it made? The report below shows the impact of the way we spent the Pupil Premium money last year and also shows how we intend to use the money to make a difference this academic year.