In 2011-12 the Government launched its Pupil Premium funding. This money is sent to schools based on the numbers of pupils in the school who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM). From 2012-13, it has been expanded to include all children who have been eligible for FSM within the last 6 years.

 

This money is allocated to initiatives to ensure pupils reach their full potential, both academically and socially.

 

The Pupil Premium funding that is received by the school annually is used in a variety of ways in order to improve pupil attainment and to help overcome any barriers to learning. We have utilised strategies from ‘Narrowing the Gap’ and the Sutton Trust EEF toolkit, that have been researched and analysed extensively, to inform us of the best ways to use this money.

 

If your child does not have Free School Meals, but may be eligible because of your family’s income level, please contact the office (in confidence) to register them. Even if you do not wish them to have the meals, this would mean the school could still claim Pupil Premium funding that may be used to help your child.

 

See links below for a report on amount of funding the school received in  and how this has been utilised.

Free School Meals

 

Are you eligible for Free School Meals?

 

We feel that there are a number of families who are eligible for Free School Meals and who are not benefiting from them. You may be eligible if you receive:

 

• Income support 
• Income-based job seeker’s allowance (JSA)
• Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
• Guarantee element of state pension credit 
• Universal credit 
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Both income-based and contribution-based JSA/ESA, if you receive the same amount for both. You should also qualify if you receive both, but the Income-based amount is greater, but not if the contribution-based amount is greater 
• Families who are awarded Child Tax Credit and have an annual income, as assessed by HMRC, not in excess of £16,190 are also eligible to claim free school meals providing there is no entitlement to Working Tax Credit (unless in respect of a 4-week ‘run-on’).

 

The online checking system only confirms or denies your eligibility to claim free school meals: it does not give the department any other information. If you are currently in receipt of either Universal Credit or the 4-week run on of Working Tax Credit the system will not automatically be able to determine your eligibility, therefore you will need to send proof that you are in receipt of these benefits to the Free School Meals office once you have completed and saved your application.

 

When your eligibility has been confirmed and your application processed, you will be sent an email confirming eligibility. The school will also receive notification of your child’s application.

 

The online checking system will continuously check your eligibility status and inform you and the school of any changes.

 

PLEASE NOTE:

 

• The school will receive funding based on our numbers of free school meals pupils.
• Even if your child does not want a school meal, it is important that you apply for free school meals if you are entitled as the school will receive  additional funding which can be used in other ways to support your child.
• The names of children receiving free school meals are kept confidential, from their classmates.
• FSM provide financial help to parents and result in a hot dinner for your child.

 

TO APPLY:

 

• www.warwickshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
• By telephone: 01926 359189 (Customer Service Centre).