Pupil Premium
Purpose
The purpose of the Pupil Premium funding is clearly defined by the DfE as 'funding to improve education outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in schools in England. Evidence shows that disadvantaged children generally face additional challenges in reaching their potential at school and often do not perform as well as other pupils.' Pupil premium funding is not allocated based on academic ability, allocation is based on all of the eligible pupils. Pupil premium funding does not need to be spent so that it solely benefits eligible pupils. It can be used to support other pupils with identified needs, who don't have funding, but would benefit from additional support alongside the funded activities set out by the school.
Our Leads on Pupil Premium & Disadvantage pupils are:
Miss K. Johnson (Headteacher, Disadvantage Champion)
& Debra Hughes (Chair of Governors)
What is the Pupil Premium Grant?
The Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) was introduced by the Government in April 2011. It is an additional sum of money given to schools to raise the attainment of specific groups of pupils and close the insurance gap between them and their peers.
The funding is allocated to the school based on our annual census figures for the following groups of children:
Targeted FSM: Children who are registered for - or have been eligible for - Targeted Free Schools Meals (households earning £7,400 or less) at any point in the past six years. (Please note: Children qualifying under the new "Expanded FSM" tier to not receive this funding).
Previously Looked-After Children: Children who have left local authority care in England and Wales through adoption, a special guardianship order, a residence order, or a child arrangements order.
Service Children: Children recorded as a service child on the school census, or those in receipt of a child pension from the Ministry of Defence.
Eligibility for Free School Meals: Important Changes
From September 2026, important national changes introduced by the Government regarding Free School Meals (FSM) and Pupil Premium funding will take effect.
What are the new rules?
Free School Meals will now be split into two tiers based on your household income and benefits:
Targeted FSM: For families on Universal Credit earning £7,400 or less (or those on other qualifying legacy benefits). Children receive free meals, and the school receives vital Pupil Premium funding to support their education.
Expanded FSM: A new category for families earning above £7,400 who still qualify for Universal Credit. Children will receive free school meals, but the school will not receive extra Pupil Premium funding for them.
PLEASE NOTE - UNIVERSAL INFANT FREE SCHOOL MEALS (UIFSM) - All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically receive a free school meal every day. Families do not need to apply for this. However, UIFSM does not unlock Pupil Premium funding.
Why do I need to check my eligibility?
Crucially, the Government's temporary "transitional protections" are coming to an end.
This means that even if your child currently receives Free School Meals, their eligibility will not automatically roll over into the new school year.
Because the rules have expanded to cover more families on Universal Credit, your child might now be entitled to free meals even if you didn't qualify in the past.
We strongly encourage all families to complete a quick online eligibility check. This ensures that your child does not lose their meals, helps you see if you qualify under the expanded rules, and helps our school secure essential funding.
How to complete the check
The check is quick, secure, and uses the official LGfL (London Grid for Learning) FSM Checker. The school will be automatically notified of the result, and you will remain on our register to make future annual checks seamless.
To complete the check, you will need:
The School Name: This will be found under T for "The Alderton Infant School"
Your child's name
Your official first and last name
Your date of birth
Your National Insurance Number (or National Asylum Support Service number)
Your email address and telephone number
To check your eligibility for free school meals please click on the following link:
Free School Meal LGfL Eligibility Checker
Please read the information below which gives details of our Pupil Premium Grant and how we allocate the funding:
- Pupil Premium Strategy 2025-2026
-
Department for Education Articles and advice for children and young people.