Pupil Premium
What is Pupil Premium?
Pupil Premium is additional funding given to state-funded schools to help students of all abilities reach their full potential. It is not a personal budget for individual children; instead, schools have the flexibility to use the total grant to support any pupil who needs it, though it is primarily targeted at those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Who is Eligible?
A child may be eligible for Pupil Premium if they fall into one of the following categories:
- Free School Meals (FSM): Currently registered for FSM or have been registered at any point in the last six years (often called "Ever 6 FSM").
- Looked After Children (LAC): Children who are currently in the care of the local authority.
- Previously Looked After Children: Children who have left care through adoption, a Special Guardianship Order (SGO), or a Child Arrangements Order.
- Service Children: Children with a parent currently serving in the regular armed forces or who has died in service
How Schools Use the Funding
Schools are free to decide how to spend the money based on what their students need most. Common uses include:
- High-Quality Teaching: Investing in staff training or hiring extra teachers to reduce class sizes.
- Targeted Support: Funding one-to-one or small group tutoring, literacy and numeracy interventions, and speech and language therapy.
- Pastoral & Enrichment: Subsidising school trips, music lessons, after-school clubs, or providing emotional support and mental health resources.
Why Parents Should Apply
Even if your child is in Reception, Year 1, or Year 2 and receives Universal Free School Meals, it is vital to apply for Pupil Premium eligibility if you meet the criteria. This ensures the school receives thousands of pounds in extra funding to support your child’s education
How to Check and Apply
Parents can apply through our local authority website - https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
Please click on the link below to look at our current Pupil Premium Strategy.
