The Pupil Premium grant is an additional sum of money paid to the school to support looked-after children and those eligible for free school meals.
One of the key aims of the funding is to ‘narrow the gap’ in terms of achievement for vulnerable groups of children.
What is the Early Years Pupil Premium?
It is additional funding provided from the Government to support three and four year olds early education. If your child is eligible, your childcare setting (nursery, pre-school, nursery class or registered childminder) can claim up to £300 a year to support your child’s individual learning.
Who is eligible for Pupil Premium?
Being a Non-Maintained Special School this funding is given at Local Authorities’ discretion. Registering your child as eligible for free school meals may bring funding into school to help your child achieve. Please be assured we will do our utmost to obtain the funding, and information you share with us will not be used for any other purpose.
Pupil premium is allocated to pupils from low income families and the eligibility check is identical to the free school meals eligibility check. Qualifying benefits are as follows:
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-based)
- Child Tax Credit based on income below £16,190
- The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Asylum Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Working Tax Credit ‘run on’ (this is the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Families who receive any level of Working Tax Credit are not entitled to free school meals.
Read our Pupil Premium strategy statement
Pupil Premium Policy
How do I apply for Pupil Premium?
If your child is in Year 3 or above and you have already applied for free school meals, you do not need to do anything more. If your child is in early education, Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, you should contact your Local Authority:
- BCP Council – for further information visit For assistance call 01202 123222 or Email
- Dorset County Council requests parents submit a free school meals online application to apply for pupil premium for your school. Submitting an application will have no effect on your child’s free school meal.
Visit or for further information on free school meals click here.
If you have any questions about Pupil Premium funding, please contact the school office.
For more information on Pupil Premium visit the GOV.UK website.