Did you know that schools and parents can apply for Pupil Premium?

In light of growing financial pressure on schools, we’ve been made aware of several schools who have realised they could gain additional financial support for their free school meals/pupil premium children from reception to year 2. However, parents have to apply directly to the government in order for the school to gain this funding.

Here is further information taken directly from the government website.

Pupil eligibility and funding rates – 2022 to 2023

This table shows how much pupil premium funding schools and local authorities will receive for each eligible child in 2022 to 2023.

Your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re 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 – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child may also get Pupil Premium/Free School Meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

• younger than the compulsory age for starting school
• in full-time education

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2022.

Infant Pupil Premium/Free School Meals in England

Your child will be able to get Pupil Premium if they’re in a government-funded school and in:

• reception class
• year 1
• year 2

Tell your local authority if you also get any of the qualifying benefits. Your child’s school can get extra funding if you do.

Applying is simple and quick- Remember, even though your child automatically is entitled to receives Free School Meals up until the end of Year 2, still apply for Pupil Premium as the school will receive additional funding that will benefit your child.

How to apply

After you have checked if you are eligible visit…

https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

You need your child’s details, plus your own National Insurance number.