Pupil Premium

Pupil Premium funding is a key part of a school’s yearly budget – intended to be used (and increasingly monitored to make sure of this) to measurably and positively impact pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

What Is Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium funding is a per-child grant given to around a quarter of all pupils in England in order to reduce the gap in academic attainment between disadvantaged children and their peers. It was introduced by the Department for Education in 2011 in recognition of research showing that children from low-income backgrounds perform less well at school than others. 

Schools currently receive Pupil Premium funding of £1,345 per pupil per year for those whose families who have registered for FSM or who have been registered for FSM at any point during the past 6 years. In addition, schools receive £2,345 for Looked After Children (LAC) and ‘post-LAC’ (e.g. Adopted From Care), although some of this may be centrally retained by Local Authority Virtual Schools. The children of members of the armed forces also receive ‘Service Pupil Premium’ of £310 per year.

What Is Pupil Premium Plus?

Research shows that one group above all others faces particular challenges to educational achievement: children who have either been adopted from a Welsh or English Local Authority Care or who are still in the care system (otherwise known as looked-after or previously looked-after children). This group also includes those pupils who have left care under a Special Guardianship Order or a Child Arrangements Order (previously known as a Residence Order).

They are more likely to suffer disruption to their education as well as to have complex social or emotional needs, alongside other Special Educational Needs. This has a marked effect on their outcomes – for example, in 2017, 32% achieved the expected level of reading, writing and maths at the end of Key Stage 2, in comparison to the national average of 61%.

In an attempt to improve the outcomes of this group, a higher level of funding of £2,345 is attached to these pupils.

The Attainment Gap – Why We Need Pupil Premium

The attainment gap is the difference in academic outcomes between disadvantaged children and those from less impoverished backgrounds. It’s stubbornly persistent and difficult to minimise. In fact, one study indicates that at current rates, it will take 50 years to close. The gap begins in early years and is already evident when children enter Reception.

How is the funding used ?

The key purpose of the Pupil Premium funding is to enable all pupils to reach their full potential. Each school may decide how best to use the funding to enable all its pupils to reach age related expectations and are held accountable for how it has been used to support pupils from these families. 

At Marsh Lane Primary we recognise that barriers to achievement take a variety of forms and will do whatever it takes to support a child, both in and out of the classroom.  We use all our resources to ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to become an empowered learner.  In order to achieve this we offer our children a wide range of opportunities and we always make sure these are accessible for everyone. 

Eligible pupils are always supported using this funding but the school may also target support for other children who are vulnerable and in need of additional support for a variety of reasons and wherever possible try to maximise the impact of this funding. Some of the funding is used to improve the quality of education for all pupils, and the way that we do this is outlined on the link to our Pupil Premium Strategy document below.

How can I find out if my child is entitled to the Pupil Premium funding?

The process for applying is straightforward and confidential. You can check online using a ‘Free School Meals / Pupil Premium Service’ at 

This system will check for eligibility and gives an immediate ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response, and will notify our school. As soon as you are registered, the school will provide your child with a hot dinner and you won’t have to pay.

Alternatively, you can speak to Mrs Yorke in the school office, who will be able to assist you through this process, or collect a form from them (all enquiries will be treated in confidence).

For more information on the Pupil Premium, please visit:

http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/premium

https://www.gov.uk/topic/schools-colleges-childrens-services/support-for-children-young-people

https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/education/schools/your-child-at-school/meals/pupil-premium/school-meals-pupil-premium-form.aspx

Pupil Premium Strategy 2023/2024 

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2020-23

Pupil Premium Funding Strategy Report 22-23