Pupil premium funding is provided for the support of children who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) in both mainstream and non-mainstream settings, and children who have been looked after continuously for more than six months.  From 2012 this now also includes pupils eligible for FSM at any point in the last six years (known as the Ever 6 measure). Pupils from service families are also eligible for another strand of Pupil Premium funding.

Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit. However, we will be held accountable for how we have used the additional funding to support pupils from low-income families. Some of this funding may be used to replace funding for activities where finance has been cut. We are required to publish online information about how we have used Pupil Premium. This is to ensure that parents and others are made aware of the attainment of pupils covered by the Premium and the extra support they receive.

Government guidance

Free meals for primary school aged children

Your child will be able to receive free school meals if they are in reception class, year 1 or year 2 regardless of benefits or household earnings.

For the 2023-2024 school year only, children in year 3, year 4, year 5 and year 6 will also be able to receive free school meals regardless of benefits or household earnings. Funding for this is provided by the Mayor of London and it covers schools in London boroughs only.

All primary age children will receive free school dinners, however, it is still worth notifying us if you meet the criteria below as your child's school will receive additional funding.

Also, if it is known that your child is eligible, they will continue to receive free school meals after the 2023-2024 school year even if by then your personal circumstances have changed.

Are you eligible for free school meal support while in reception, year 1 and 2 and beyond?

If you or your child are receiving any of the following benefits you may be eligible for free school meals after year 6 but also for extra support whilst in reception and in years 1 to 6.

• Universal Credit (your household income must be less than £7,400 a year after tax and not including any benefits you receive)
• Income support
• Income based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income related Employment Support Allowance
• Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income of less than £16,190
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

If it is confirmed that your child is entitled to free school meals, they will remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they are in on 31 March 2025.

There will be no need to inform your school or the council if your personal circumstances change.

Please click the link below to check your eligibility 

 Eligibility for Free School Meals