What is Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is funding provided to schools which is additional to main school funding. It is allocated according to the number of pupils on-roll who are eligible for free school meals (FSM), a smaller amount allocated according to the number of children of service families, and an allocation for each pupil who has been ‘Looked After’ (in care) for 6 months or more. In 2012, funding was extended to include pupils who have been eligible for free school meals within the past 6 years.

The Government believes that the Pupil Premium is the best way to address the current underlying inequality in outcomes between children eligible for FSM and their wealthier peers, by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most. However, it is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility. Schools are to be held accountable for how they have used the additional funding to support pupils from low-income families and from September 2012, this information must be published.

Are you eligible for free school meals?

For every child registered, Itchen Abbas Primary School receives funding which enables us to provide additional resources, for example, new equipment and materials for pupils or provide extra classroom support. If you are registered for Free School Meals you could also get help with costs to support your child’s education and achievement. For example, the pupil premium can help fund the cost of school trips and extra-curricular activities.

Please register to make sure your child and others in their class and the school don’t miss out. No one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.

Please consider the following:

1. Check if you qualify. It is not just if you are unemployed, so please check and refer to the information for free school meals in Hampshire schools.
2. Registering is really quick and easy. If you think you qualify, you can register online or contact the School Office who will help you to register.
3. Your child will be entitled to a free, healthy meal at lunchtime (saving you more than £350 a year) and extra benefits. The school will also get additional funding to support your child and others to enjoy and achieve.
4. You can decide not to take advantage of the free school meal, as long as you qualify and have registered, the school will receive the additional funding.

Our policy documents are available here to download:

• Pupil Premium Information
• Pupil Premium Strategy September 2021-22
• Pupil Premium Strategy September 2022-23
• Pupil Premium Strategy September 2023-24
• Pupil Premium Strategy September 2024-25
• Am I entitled to Pupil Premium funding this year?

*Due to the number of children eligible for Pupil Premium in our school, some information may lead to individuals being able to be identified. Therefore, under GDPR legislation, this information is not published here, but held at school.