Pupil Premium funding is sent to schools based on the number of pupils in the school who are eligible for Free Schools Meals (FSM) and the number of children who are in care.

It has been for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium is spent as they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility.

Parents can apply for FSM or PP either online at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/fsm or by telephone on 0300 123 5012.

Pupil Premium

The pupil premium is additional funding for publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities and to close the gaps between them and their peers.

Funding for 2024 to 2025

In the 2024 to 2025 financial year, schools received £1480 the following funding for each child registered as eligible for free school meals at any point in the last 6 years.

Schools also received £2570 for each pupil identified in the spring school census as having left authority care because of one of the following:

• adoption
• a special guardianship order
• a child arrangements order
• a residence order

(Taken from the DfE website)

Headteachers and school leaders can decide how to spend the funding.

Did you know?

Did you know that your child might be eligible to receive Pupil Premium funding? The Pupil Premium is a government initiative that gives additional funding to schools for students from families who would benefit most from the support. At the moment the value of this funding is £1480 per child.

What can it be used for?

Your child’s Pupil Premium funding can be used to pay for school meals, trips, music lessons, after school clubs, uniform or anything school related that will benefit your child. 

How do I apply?

Applying is a straight forward process just head over to:

https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/school-meals/free_school_meals.aspx

Create an online account and begin the process there. The whole thing should take no more than 20 minutes.

You can claim free school meals for each child who attends school in Cheshire East if you receive one of these benefits:

• Universal Credit with no earned income or with net monthly earnings less than £616.67
• Income Support
• Income based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income related Employment Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit  - as long as you have a yearly household income of less than £16,190 (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs) and do not get Working Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

 

Even if your child is currently receiving free school meals, we strongly encourage all our families who feel they may be eligible to apply for this additional funding. Pupil Premium support will not only benefit your own child but the whole school community too. The whole process is completely confidential and there will be no way for non-school staff to identify who is receiving the grant.