Pupil Premium

Pupil Premium is additional funding allocated to schools to help raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers.

Eligibility Criteria

Pupil Premium funding is available for children whose parents or carers receive any of the following qualifying benefits:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

• Universal Credit (with a net earned household income of no more than £7,400 per year after tax, not including any benefits you receive)

Early Years, Reception, and Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2)

All children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 automatically receive Universal Infant Free School Meals. However, if you meet any of the qualifying benefit criteria above, it is vital that you still submit an application for Pupil Premium. Registering ensures our school receives the additional funding needed to support your child's learning, resources, and wider school experiences.

Key Stage 2 (Years 3 & 4)

If your application for Free School Meals is successful, your child will receive free school meals and the school will automatically receive Pupil Premium funding to support their education.

How to Apply

Applying online is quick and confidential. If you believe your family may be eligible, please apply via the Dorset Council portal:

Apply for Free School Meals & Pupil Premium Funding

How We Use the Pupil Premium Grant

Following Department for Education (DfE) guidance and evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), we adopt a 3-tiered strategic approach to ensure funding directly improves pupil outcomes:

1. High-Quality Teaching: Investing in professional development (CPD), mentoring, and resources to ensure effective quality-first teaching in every classroom.

2. Targeted Academic Support: Providing structured 1-to-1 and small group interventions to address specific learning gaps in literacy, numeracy, and communication.

3. Wider Strategies: Supporting social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, promoting attendance, providing pastoral care, and ensuring equitable access to educational visits and enrichment activities.

Schools are required to publish an annual Pupil Premium Strategy Statement outlining funding allocations, challenges, planned activity, and reviews of impact.