Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium
What is the Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to state-funded schools in England to improve the educational outcomes of disadvantaged pupils and help close the attainment gap. It ensures that schools can put in place targeted support and evidence-based approaches to meet pupils’ academic and pastoral needs. GOV.UK
The funding supports pupils in the following groups:
- Ever 6 Free School Meals (FSM) – pupils who are currently eligible for FSM or have been eligible in the last six years
- Looked After Children (LAC) and previously looked after children (post-LAC)
- Children of Service families (Service Pupil Premium)
The Pupil Premium also includes the service pupil premium, intended to support children of service personnel with pastoral and other needs, even where there isn’t financial disadvantage. GOV.UK
How is the Pupil Premium Grant Calculated (2025–26)?
For the financial year 2025–2026, the Pupil Premium allocation is based on pupil eligibility recorded in the October 2024 school census for mainstream and special schools, and the January 2025 school census for pupil referral units and alternative provision. GOV.UK
The Department for Education (DfE) sets the funding rates annually. Schools receive funding based on the number of eligible pupils they have. Each pupil attracts a per-pupil allocation under one of the eligibility categories. GOV.UK
Who Allocates and Oversees the Pupil Premium Grant?
The Department for Education allocates the Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) to maintained schools via their local authorities and directly to academies, free schools and special schools. Schools must use the grant in accordance with the Pupil Premium conditions of grant and are accountable for how the funding is spent. GOV.UK
Use of the Pupil Premium at Woodloes Primary School
At Woodloes Primary School, the Pupil Premium is used to:
- Provide high-quality teaching and learning for all pupils
- Deliver targeted support and interventions for eligible pupils
- Support pupils’ social, emotional and mental wellbeing
- Ensure equitable access to a range of opportunities that enrich learning and address barriers to success
All spending is driven by evidence-based practice and aligned with DfE guidance and the Education Endowment Foundation’s recommendations for effective use of Pupil Premium funding. EEF
Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability
The School Leadership Team (SLT) and Governing Body regularly monitor and evaluate the impact of Pupil Premium spending through:
- Tracking pupil progress and attainment
- Evaluating intervention success
- Reviewing outcomes against school priorities
- Updating and publishing a Pupil Premium Strategy Statement each year
In line with the 2025–26 conditions of grant, all schools receiving Pupil Premium (based on more than five eligible pupils) must publish an updated strategy statement by 31 December 2025, using the DfE’s template. Separate strategy statements must be published for each school within a multi-academy trust. GOV.UK
This reporting ensures transparency about how funding has been used and what impact it has had on improving outcomes for eligible pupils.
Are You Eligible for Pupil Premium?
Did you know that our school receives additional funding, known as the Pupil Premium, to support children who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)?
Registering for FSM helps the school to access extra funding which can be used to support pupils’ learning, wellbeing and wider opportunities, such as:
- Educational visits and enrichment activities
- Targeted learning support
- Music tuition and swimming lessons
- Support to remove barriers to learning
Importantly, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 who receive Universal Infant Free School Meals may still be eligible for Pupil Premium, but this funding is only available if families register.
Who is Eligible?
Your child may be eligible for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium if you receive one or more of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Universal Credit, provided your household’s annual net earned income does not exceed £7,400
- Child Tax Credit, with an annual income of £16,190 or less, provided there is no entitlement to Working Tax Credit (except during a four-week run-on period)
Eligibility is determined in line with DfE statutory guidance, and registering does not affect other benefits you receive.
How to Apply
Applications should be made directly through Warwickshire County Council:
Online:
https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/education-learning/apply-free-school-meals
Telephone:
01926 742543