What is Pupil Premium?

The 'Pupil Premium' is direct government funding for schools designed to ensure that all pupils make the best possible progress whilst in school, regardless of their socio-economic background. A sum of money is given to the school for each pupil on role who is currently or who has ever been in receipt of means tested 'Free School Meals' (as opposed to the Universal Infant Free School Meals). There is also a small amount of funding given for any pupil with a parent currently serving in the British Armed Forces and for any child 'looked after', either in foster care or in Local Authority care.

Pupil Premium Strategy 2022-2023

How do I know if my child is eligible for the Pupil Premium?

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get 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
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

• younger than the compulsory age for starting school
• in full-time education

If you think that your child may be eligible to qualify for pupil premium funding please do not hesitate to contact a member of the school office team. This funding, if eligible, will be received each year that they remain at primary school, regardless of how your circumstances may change.

What is Covid-19 ‘Catch up’ Premium?

In June, a £1 billion fund for education was announced by the government.  Further guidance has now been released (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-catch-up-premium) showing that the money is split between a catch-up premium and a national tutoring scheme.

The catch-up premium is funded on a per pupil basis at £80 per pupil. This will be based on the October census, meaning Chartham Primary will be in receipt of £28240.00 (353 x £80) over the 2020/21 academic year.  The spending of this money will be down to schools to allocate as they see best. To support schools to make the best use of this funding, the Education Endowment Foundation has published a support guide for schools with evidence-based approaches to catch up for all students.

Spending:

At Chartham Primary we are currently examining how this fund can be best used to support our children in these challenging circumstances.