Hornchurch Academy Trust

Pupil Premium

What is the Pupil Premium?

Introduced in 2011, the pupil premium is a sum of money given to schools each year by the Government to improve the attainment of disadvantaged children.

This is based on research showing that children from low income families perform less well at school than their peers. Often, children who are entitled to pupil premium face challenges such as poor language and communication skills, lack of confidence and issues with attendance and punctuality. The pupil premium is intended to directly benefit the children who are eligible, helping to narrow the gap between them and their classmates.

Is your child eligible?

Primary schools are given a pupil premium for:

  • Children in Reception to Year 6 who are, or have ever been, entitled to free school meals based on their family income.
  • Children in care
  • Children previously in care who have been adopted, or who have a special guardianship order, a child arrangements order or a residence order
  • Children recorded as being from service families

How is it spent?

Schools can choose how to spend their pupil premium money, as they are best placed to identify what would be of most benefit to the children who are eligible.

Common ways in which schools spend their pupil premium fund include:

  • Extra one-to-one or small-group support for children within the classroom.
  • Employing extra teaching assistants to work with classes.
  • Running catch-up sessions before or after school, for example for children who need extra help with maths or literacy.
  • Running a school breakfast club to improve attendance.
  • Providing extra tuition for able children.
  • Providing music lessons for children whose families would be unable to pay for them.
  • Funding educational trips and visits.
  • Paying for additional help such as speech and language therapy or family therapy.

Free Schools Meals Application

 Please see extract from the website below:-

Your child must attend a maintained school (most schools in Kent are maintained schools) or receive alternative education approved by Kent County Council.
Children attending private or independent schools can't get free school meals.
Your child might be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
  • Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • income-related 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 - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
If your child is eligible for free school meals with an active application on the 31 March 2018, they will remain eligible until 31 March 2022.
We may ask for proof of benefit after you apply.
 

 


Annual Pupil Premium Report

2023 - 2024 PP Strategy Statement