Our school receives additional funding through the Pupil Premium to ensure that all groups of pupils can achieve their potential.  Funding is linked to pupils that are: looked after, post looked after, service families and pupils that are eligible to receive free school meals.  This does not include those in receipt of universal free school meals in kS1.

However, The Pupil Premium does not target our lowest income students, as FSM eligibility does not identify the poorest children. Between 50% to 70% are not in the lowest income households (Hobbs, G and Vignoles, A 2010).

The very act of receiving the means-tested benefits and tax credits that in turn entitle the child to free school meals raises their household income above the ‘working poor’ Professor Becky Allen

In making provision for disadvantage pupils, we recognise that not all pupils who receive free school meals will not be socially disadvantaged.   We also recognise that not all pupils who are disadvantaged are registered or qualify for free school meals.  We have a significant proportion of pupils living in homes which reflect high levels of deprivation.  The parents of these children do not always fulfill the eligibility criteria, as they work ; albeit in low paid employment rather than claim benefits.   A small minority of parents also choose not to register their entitlement.  We therefore reserve the right to allocate Pupil Premium funding to support any pupil or groups of pupils the school has legitimately identified as being socially disadvantaged.   As such,  we define the term ‘disadvantaged’ as any pupil in a position where they may not meet their full potential in any key area, due to controlling and/or influencing factors.  Any pupil finding themselves negatively influenced and at risk of not achieving is deemed to be disadvantaged. 

Pupils are not at risk of lower attainment because they are Pupil Premium.  Rather it is because of the disadvantage on learning over time (Mark Rowland 25.1.22)

‘Everyone should be able to make what they can of themselves, and where they end up should not be dictated by where they began.  This should be the case for every single young person.’ The Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP

DfE guidance states that schools are free to spend their Pupil premium allocation as they see fit but are accountable for the impact of this spending.