At Our Lady & St. Swithin’s Catholic Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We recognise that some children may experience additional barriers to learning because of disadvantage, and we use Pupil Premium funding to help remove these barriers.
Pupil Premium is additional funding provided by the government to schools in England to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. It is intended to help schools reduce the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.
Children may be eligible for Pupil Premium funding if they are currently entitled to free school meals, have been eligible for free school meals during the previous six years, are looked after or previously looked after, or meet certain criteria relating to parents serving in the armed forces.
For the 2026/27 financial year, the government provides different amounts according to a child's circumstances. The main rates are:
£1,515 per eligible primary-aged pupil who is currently eligible for free school meals or has been eligible during the previous six years.
£2,630 per looked-after child, paid to the local authority and managed by the Virtual School Head.
£2,630 per previously looked-after child, paid directly to the school.
£350 per eligible service child through the Service Pupil Premium.
The amount a school receives is therefore determined by the number and circumstances of eligible pupils.
We use Pupil Premium strategically to address the barriers experienced by our pupils. We recognise that disadvantaged pupils are not one homogeneous group and that individual children may experience very different barriers. Our approach is therefore based on understanding pupils' needs and providing the right support at the right time.
Our aim is not simply to spend Pupil Premium funding, but to ensure that it makes a measurable difference to children's attendance, participation, wellbeing, learning and achievement.
If you feel your child is entitled to free school meals you need to apply and register your entitlement otherwise school will not receive this additional funding.
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) is delivering an expansion to FSM eligibility to include all pupils from households in receipt of Universal Credit. There will then be 2 categories of FSM:
Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing £7,400 income threshold
Expanded FSM, which will apply to meals only, covering pupils who do not qualify for Targeted FSM, but who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit
Following the expansion of FSM, only pupils eligible for Targeted FSM will be part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort. This means that pupils who become eligible for FSM for the first time through the new Expanded FSM category will not attract pupil premium funding.
Pupils who were eligible for FSM before the expansion will continue to be part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort after the expansion. That includes any pupil whose household income increases after the expansion, such that they either lose FSM eligibility altogether or become eligible for FSM through Expanded FSM. Such pupils will remain part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort for 6 years.
Remember, just registering your child for free school meals means that Our Lady & St Swithin’s will receive the extra money even if you decide not to take up the free meal. No one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.
If you are in receipt of any of the benefits detailed above please apply on line using the link below .
If you would like further information then please talk to a member of staff or email [email protected]