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Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium is funding allocated to schools for the specific purpose of supporting pupils from low-income families. Funding is based on children who have registered for a free school meal at any point in the last 6 years, children that are in care or adopted and children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces.
Why has it been introduced?
The Government believes that the Pupil Premium, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between disadvantaged children and their peers by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most. Whilst schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit we are required to publish online information about how we have used the Premium and the impact it is having.
How does the school get Pupil Premium funding?
We may be entitled to pupil premium funding for your child if you receive one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Child Tax Credit Only (with income up to £16,190) with no element of Working Tax Credit
- National Asylum Seekers Support
- Guarantee Element of the State Pension Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
- Universal Credit (income dependant)
Pupil Premium and Free School Meals(FSM)
From September 2026, the Government has expanded Free School Meal eligibility in England. Children whose parent or carer receives Universal Credit may now qualify for free school meals regardless of household earnings.
At Spring Lane, we use ParentPay to support the identification of pupils who may be eligible for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium funding. Information provided during the admissions process is used to check eligibility, so parents do not usually need to make a separate application unless further information is required.
It is important that the school holds up-to-date family information, as this helps ensure that eligible pupils receive the support available to them.
While many more children may now be entitled to a free school meal through the Government’s expanded eligibility criteria, there remains a distinction between Expanded Free School Meal entitlement and Targeted Free School Meal entitlement. Schools receive Pupil Premium funding for pupils who meet the targeted eligibility criteria and for those recorded within the Government’s ‘Ever 6’ measures.
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
All children in these year groups are entitled to free school meals through the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme. Eligible families for Pupil Premium funding will be identified by the school.
Year 3 and Above
If your child is in Year 3 and above, eligibility for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium will be checked through the information held by the school and our ParentPay eligibility checking system.
If your circumstances change, or you would like further information about Free School Meals or Pupil Premium funding, please contact the school office, who will be happy to help. All enquiries will be treated confidentially.