At Hilderthorpe Primary School, we use our Pupil Premium funding to ensure that there are no differences, or diminishing differences in learning and welfare, between children with a disadvantage, in comparison to other children nationally with a similar starting point. 

Our aim is to ensure that we quickly identify the needs of the child and match the support required to suit their needs and circumstances, carefully tracking their progress and development.

What is the Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium is an allocation of funding from the Government that is given separately to the main school budget. The government provide this money to help school address the current national underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their peers. The funding is to ensure that provision is in place for those disadvantaged children who need it most.

The pupil premium was introduced in April 2011 and is allocated to schools to work with pupils who have been registered for free school meals at any point in the last six years (known as ‘Ever 6 FSM’). There is also an allocation for children who are “Looked After”, adopted or children of service personnel.

Since the introduction of Free School Meals for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, these children may miss out on this additional funding. We do encourage parents to complete a form if they think they may be eligible, even if they do not need to claim a free meal.

How might a child be eligible for FSM or Pupil Premium?

A child may be eligible to receive the Pupil Premium Grant/Free School Meals if the parent receives any of the following Income Support:
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guaranteed element of State 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
Children who get any of the above benefits in their own right (ie they get benefits payments directly, instead of through a parent or guardian) can also get the Pupil Premium Grant/Free School Meals. Children under the compulsory school age who are in full time education may also be able to get Pupil Premium Grant/Free School Meals.