Pupil Premium

We wish to encourage strongly that parents of all students who are eligible for Pupil Premium support apply for this additional funding. We know that in the past, some parents who are entitled to this funding have chosen not to apply because they prefer to take complete responsibility for supporting their children’s education themselves. However, we would like to explain that parents applying for Pupil Premium support will not only benefit their own children, but will help the school to secure funding which can be used to benefit the whole school community. Funding arrangements are confidential and there is no way of identifying Pupil Premium students from other students, for example, they still follow the same procedures at break/lunchtimes.

What is the Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is a government initiative that gives additional funding to schools for students from families who would benefit most from economic support. This has been allocated to every school in the country in light of national figures which show that this group of students does not achieve as well as other students. This funding enables additional provision and intervention to allow students to reach their full potential and achieve their aspirations.

How is the Pupil Premium funding spent?

Schools have the freedom to spend the Premium in a way they think will best support the raising of attainment for such pupils. The governors of the school have decided that this funding can be spent to support students financially to raise their levels of progress and help them fulfil their long-term aspirations.

Some of this funding can be used directly to support essential school items such as uniform and free school meals. It is the intention to provide a direct financial subsidy for uniform items for Pupil Premium students from September. The rest of the funding is spent in a wide range of ways, depending on individual students’ needs. The following, which is focused towards Pupil Premium students, but also benefits all students in the school, includes:

• Support staff to aid students’ progress in lessons.

• IT resources such as laptops, computers and iPads giving Pupil Premium students the fullest possible access to the school’s IT resources both at home and within school.

• After-school and holiday revision sessions for GCSE Students.

• Transport home for students attending catch up sessions.

• Funding for educational school trips.

• Funding for music lessons.

• Careers Advice for Year 11 Pupil Premium students.

• College visits and taster days.

• Provision of equipment packs, department resources, such as ingredients for food technology, funded revision guides and GCSE reading texts.

How can I apply?

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:

• 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

• 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

Please check the criteria above, if any are relevant to you, then please apply online, the Local Authority will check your eligibility.

If you are already in receipt of Free School Meals/Pupil Premium, then you do not need to take any further action, and you entitlement will continue.

Further Information

We hope you find this information useful, and if you have any queries in relation to this initiative or require help in completing the form, please contact Lucy Hearn hearnl@hthacademy.org.uk