Pupil Premium

What is Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is extra funding given to publicly funded schools in England to help improve the educational outcomes of disadvantaged pupils.
The goal is to ensure all children have equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their background or financial situation.

Schools use this money to:

• Provide additional academic support (e.g., tutoring, small group work)
• Offer enrichment activities (e.g., trips, clubs, cultural experiences)
• Support pupils’ well-being and engagement in learning
• Close attainment gaps between disadvantaged pupils and their peers

How Does It Work?

The Government allocates the funding directly to schools each financial year.
Schools have flexibility in how they spend it but must show how the funding benefits eligible pupils — for example, through published “Pupil Premium Strategies” on their websites. You can find Chapel Street's here.

Funding is provided per eligible pupil, and the amount varies depending on the category.

Who Is Eligible?

Your child may qualify for Pupil Premium funding if they meet any of the following:

1. Free School Meals (FSM) eligibility
Your child is currently eligible for free school meals, or has been eligible at any point in the past six years (known as Ever 6 FSM).
FSM eligibility is usually based on household income or receipt of certain benefits (e.g., Universal Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, etc.).

2. Looked-after and previously looked-after children
Children currently in care (looked after by a local authority)
Children who have left care through adoption, special guardianship, or child arrangement orders

3. Service children
Children with a parent serving in the regular armed forces, receiving a pension from the Ministry of Defence, or who have served in the last six years are eligible for Service Pupil Premium.

How to Apply

Check if you’re eligible for Free School Meals here. If you need help with the application, please speak with the school office team. We would be very happy to help or complete the form for you.

Even if your child gets Universal Infant Free School Meals (all children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2), you should still apply for FSM if you meet the income criteria — this ensures the school receives Pupil Premium funding.

It is really important to make sure that all children who qualify are registered for Free School Meals. Registering is the only way to ensure the school receives the Pupil Premium funding to spend on your child, even if you choose to send a packed lunch or your child already has a free lunch as they are in either Reception, Year 1 or Year 2.

PLEASE ASK US IF YOU THINK YOU ARE ENTITLED - IF IN DOUBT PLEASE APPLY!

Please see more information on our Pupil Premium page to find out how Chapel Street have used the Pupil Premium in the past and how we plan to use the funding in the future.

Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM)

All children in:

Reception
Year 1
Year 2

automatically receive free school meals, regardless of household income.

However, parents who meet the income-based FSM criteria should still apply — this allows the school to claim Pupil Premium funding, which helps provide extra educational support.

What Are Free School Meals (FSM)?

Free School Meals provide children from low-income families with a nutritious, free meal at school every day.
They’re designed to make sure no child goes hungry and to support their concentration, wellbeing, and academic progress.

FSM eligibility is also important because it often determines whether a school can receive Pupil Premium funding — extra money to support disadvantaged pupils.

Who Is Eligible for Free School Meals?

Your child may be eligible for income-based FSM if you (or your partner) receive one or more of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit – your household income (after tax and not including benefits) must be less than £7,400 a year
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit), with an annual income of no more than £16,190
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

How to Apply

You can apply here.

Application stage:

• Applications are made through your local authority, not directly through the school.
• Most councils have an online form; you’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, National Insurance number, and details of any benefits you receive.

School checks your eligibility:

• The council verifies your claim electronically.
• If successful, the school is notified and your child will start receiving free meals.

No need to reapply every year

• Once approved, your child remains eligible for FSM as long as your circumstances stay the same.
• Some councils automatically renew eligibility checks each term.

FSM and Pupil Premium

If your child qualifies for FSM now or has qualified at any point in the past six years, your school will receive Pupil Premium funding for them. This applies even if your circumstances improve later.

Key Points to Remember

• You can apply at any time during the school year.
• Your child’s school or local authority can help you complete the form.
• All information is confidential — applying won’t affect any other benefits you receive.
• Even if your child prefers packed lunches, applying still benefits the school through additional funding.