This details the additional funding that we receive to support eligible children and how we plan to spend this across the year.

The government believes that the Pupil Premium, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for funding and their peers. More information as to this can be found here

Who is eligible?

• Children in care who have been looked after continuously for more than 6 months.
• A service premium is available for children whose parents are serving in the armed forces.
• Pupils eligible for free school meals.

To be eligible for free school meals the child’s family must be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Income Support,
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance,
• Child Tax Credit (not including Working Tax Credit) if the household income is below £16,190,
• Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit,
• An Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

Kent County Council have launched an online Free School Meals application service including an eligibility assessment to establish whether you have an entitlement to Free School Meals. This can be accessed at http://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals.

The school will be notified automatically of any successful applications.

Is my child eligible for Pupil Premium Funding?

In September 2014, the Government introduced ‘Universal Free School Meals’ for all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. However, it is important that parents/carers of children in these year groups still apply (through completing a very short form!) for free school meals if they think that they may be eligible, so that the school receives pupil premium funding for them.

If you would like to find out more about whether your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium funding, please enquire in the school office.