Pupil premium is additional government funding given to publicly funded schools to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. Nationally, disadvantaged pupils, on average, underachieve compared to their peers. The aim of Pupil Premium is to provide extra support and resources for these children, with the aim of closing the achievement gap.

The Government has used pupils entitled to free school meals (FSM), looked after children and service children as indicators of disadvantage, and has provided a fixed amount of money for schools per pupil based on the number of pupils registered for FSM over a rolling six year period.

If you think your child maybe eligible for pupil premium funding please click on the link below for further information and how to register.

• https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk

Children in Year 3 or older

Your child could get a free school meal if you receive any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and 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’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and you don't get more than £16,190 a year)
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• Universal Credit (with annual earned income of no more than £7,400 after tax and not including any benefits you get).

Apply today if you receive any of these benefits. It takes 5 mins and in most cases they can tell you straightaway if your child can get free meals at school.

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until 2022, or until they finish their current phase of schooling (primary or secondary), if that's after 2022.