Pupil Premium

The Pupil Premium is an amount of money provided by the UK government to state-funded schools in England to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and close the attainment gap between them and their peers.

Funding is based on the following groups of eligible pupils:

Pupils eligible for ‘targeted’ free school meals (FSM) and the ‘Ever 6’ FSM cohort (eligible for FSM before the 2026/27 academic year).
Looked-after children.
Previously looked-after children.
Service children.

Our intention is that all pupils, irrespective of their background or the challenges they face, make good progress and achieve high attainment across all subject areas. The focus of our pupil premium strategy is to support disadvantaged pupils to achieve that goal, including progress for those who are already high attainers.

Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit. However we will be held accountable for how we have used the additional funding to support pupils from low-income families. We are required to publish online information about how we have used the Premium.

Our Statement is split into distinct areas as follows:

School and Funding Overview tables
Part A: Pupil Premium strategy plan - explaining our school challenges, our intended outcomes and the specific initiatives we will put in place.
Part B: Review of outcomes in the previous academic year - details the impact of each initiative undertaken.

Targeted & Expanded Free School Meal & Pupil Premium Information and Eligibility

What Are Free School Meals (FSM) and Pupil Premium (PP)?

Free School Meals (FSM): From September 2026, eligibility has expanded. Pupils are entitled to free, healthy school meals if their parents/guardians receive qualifying benefits—including all families on Universal Credit, regardless of income.

Pupil Premium (PP): This is additional funding given directly to schools to provide extra academic and pastoral support. It is specifically linked to pupils registered under the Targeted FSM criteria (or who have been at any point in the last 6 years).

Important Note for Families: Because eligibility rules are changing and transitional protection is ending, all families must complete the new application/recheck process to ensure their child receives the correct tier of support and the school receives its vital funding.

Advantages for Pupils

Free, healthy school meals every day for all eligible categories, ensuring children are well-fed and ready to learn.
Extra academic support (for Targeted FSM/Pupil Premium eligible pupils) through small group teaching, additional resources, and targeted interventions.
Wider opportunities (for Targeted FSM eligible pupils), such as possible help with the cost of school trips, PE kits, music lessons, and enrichment activities.
Improved wellbeing through pastoral support, mentoring, and other services funded by Pupil Premium.

Advantages for Families

Financial savings: Free school meals can save families up to £500 per child each year.
Peace of mind knowing your child is getting a hot, nutritious meal at school.
No impact on other benefits: Applying does not affect any other welfare benefits you currently receive.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility Criteria 1 – Benefits-Based Free School Meals

From September 2026, families receiving Universal Credit will fall into one of two tiers upon verification:

A. Targeted Free School Meals (Meals + Pupil Premium Funding)

Your child qualifies for free meals and extra funding/support for the school if you receive:

Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400.
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (IBJSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA)
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guarantee element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) and an annual gross income of no more than £16,190.
Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) within specified low-income thresholds.

B. Expanded Free School Meals (School Meals Only)

Universal Credit where your annual net earned income exceeds £7,400.
Note: Under the 2026 expansion, your child receives a free school meal every day, but this tier does not automatically trigger separate Pupil Premium funding.

Eligibility Criteria 2 – Other Pupil Premium Funding

Your child may not qualify for meals under the criteria above but will still attract alternative Pupil Premium funding if any of the following apply:

They are a looked-after child (LAC) in the care of, or provided with accommodation by, an English local authority.
They have ceased to be looked after by a local authority because of adoption, a special guardianship order, a child arrangements order, or a residence order.
Service Pupil Premium: For pupils in Reception to Year 11, where either or both parents are regular members of HM Forces (designated as PStat Cat 1 or 2), are serving in the armed forces of another nation but stationed in England, or are in receipt of a child pension from the Ministry of Defence.

Next Steps

To apply, please complete the Free School Meal & Pupil Premium Eligibility Application Form below and return it to the school office.

Your application helps us to provide the very best support for your child and our school community.

Pupil Premium at The Echelford Primary School

We are committed to ensuring all our students have equal access to every learning opportunity. From September 2026 if your child qualifies for Targeted Free School Meals (plus 6 years after they qualify) they will be eligible for Pupil Premium funding (PP), This funding means the school will offer a 50% discount on the full cost of residential trips and one free activity club per term. Discounts on other school visits and events throughout the year are also possible at the schools discretion and will be clearly outlined within the individual communication sent out for each event. Additionally, The Echelford Primary School fund one free PE kit per eligible student.