You may be aware that the government allocates additional funding to schools in the form of the Pupil Premium Grant. This Grant is awarded to schools to raise the attainment of ‘disadvantaged’ pupils, of all abilities, to enable them to reach their potential.
The Pupil Premium Grant is allocated on an annual basis and the number of eligible pupils is taken from the Spring School Census Return which usually takes place in mid-January, so it is very important that eligible families make their applications before this date to ensure that entitled pupils can receive any additional support they need in school. There may be many families who are eligible but have not applied for a range of reasons. The Pupil Premium Grant could make a big difference to your child’s future, as the school can provide access to additional support (where appropriate); funding towards school visits, activities, resources and music lessons, as detailed in the school’s Pupil Premium Policy.
One of the criteria used to calculate this additional funding is the number of pupils at a school who are eligible for Free School Meals, due to their families receiving one of the qualifying income-based benefits. (This should not be confused with the free school meals now allocated to all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, which are ‘Universal Free School Meals’.) Your child does not have to have a school meal each day to qualify for the benefits of the Grant.
The school will continue to receive the Pupil Premium Grant for a child for six years, even if they are no longer entitled to ‘Free School Meals’. This means that your child could receive the extra support for six years, even if you are only eligible for ‘Free School Meals’ for a short period of time.
Families with children who have been adopted since 2005 are also eligible for the Pupil Premium Grant. Please contact the school if your child qualifies, as we do not receive this information from any source other than parents.
Children with a parent either currently serving in the armed services or who left the service since April 2011 are eligible for the Service Pupil Premium Grant. Please contact the school if this is the case for your child.
Free School Meals Online Applications
Your child may be eligible for Free School Meals if you receive any of the following :
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)
- An income related Employment and Support Allowance
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) that as of April 2012 does not exceed £ 16,190. Note: From 1st May 2009 where you are entitled to Working Tax Credit during the four week period immediately after your employment ceases, or after you start to work less than 16 hours per week, your children are entitled to Free School Meals, this may be extended
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit
The application process is quick and easy and you can apply HERE. The process is confidential and you will receive an immediate response advising whether you are eligible or not. Alternatively, you can complete an application form which can be downloaded from the Cumbria County Council website.
Pupil Premium Information Leaflet
Please read Castle Park School’s Pupil Premium Grant Leaflet for Parents for more information about eligibility and the benefits of the Grant. Please help us to help your child by ensuring that you have checked to see if your child is eligible for Free School Meals and the Pupil Premium Grant.
Click HERE to see the Pupil Premium Grant Leaflet for Parents.
If you are unsure whether you are eligible or require further assistance with your application, please contact Mrs Barrett in the school office for further information and support. All enquiries will be dealt with sensitively and in confidence.
Pupil Premium Annual Report
The Pupil Premium Grant Expenditure and Impact Statement details how Castle Park School has used the Pupil Premium Grant in the last year and the benefits this has brought to the pupils.
Click HERE to view the latest report.
