Pupil Premium

What is Pupil Premium?

Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation. It’s provided for pupils who:

Are registered for free school meals
Have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years
Are, or have been, in care
Have parents in the armed forces

At Park Road Academy, we get an extra £1,455 for every eligible pupil who is registered for free school meals. This extra money could make a real difference to the quality of education we offer.

For example, we’ve previously used pupil premium funding for:

Educational provision/resources
Wellbeing and self-esteem building interventions
Academic interventions
IPads & laptops
Extra -curricular activities.

Is my child eligible for free school meals?

Your child might be eligible if you access:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance
Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

Working Tax Credit run-on
Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)

Universal infant free school meals

Currently, pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal thanks to a different government funding scheme known as universal infant free school meals (UIFSM). You shouldn’t confuse UIFSM with free school meals and the pupil premium.

If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 and is eligible for free school meals according to the criteria above, you should still register because we’ll receive the extra pupil premium funding.

Does my child have to eat the free school meals?
No. Pupils who are registered for free school meals don’t have to eat them. If you’re eligible but you want your child to have a packed lunch you should still register because the school will receive the funding which can support your child in other ways.