Pupil Premium and Free School Meals
What is Pupil Premium?
Introduced by the Government in 2011, the Pupil Premium is additional funding provided to schools to help improve outcomes for children who may be disadvantaged. The funding is intended to narrow the attainment gap between eligible pupils and their peers by ensuring they receive the support they need to succeed.
At Northleaze C of E Primary School, we use our Pupil Premium funding carefully and strategically so that it directly benefits the children who are eligible.
Which children are eligible?
We receive Pupil Premium funding for pupils who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Children who are currently eligible for Free School Meals (FSM)
- Children who have been eligible for FSM at any point in the last six years (known as Ever 6 FSM)
- Looked After Children (LAC) and children who have previously been looked after (Post‑LAC), for whom schools receive Pupil Premium Plus
Although all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to Universal Free School Meals, it is still very important that eligible families apply for Free School Meals. Doing so enables the school to receive Pupil Premium funding, which can support your child now and for the next six years of their education.
How we use Pupil Premium at Northleaze
Our aim is for every pupil supported by Pupil Premium funding to:
- Achieve at least national expectations
- Make strong progress from their individual starting points
- Attend school regularly, with attendance in line with all pupils
In line with EEF research and Ofsted guidance, we focus our funding on approaches that have the greatest impact. This includes:
- High‑quality teaching for all pupils
- Targeted academic interventions where needed
- Pastoral and emotional support
- Enriching experiences, including trips, visitors and wider curriculum opportunities
- Support for attendance and engagement, where appropriate
We regularly review the impact of our provision to ensure the funding is making a measurable difference for children.
Applying for Free School Meals
If you think your child may be eligible for Free School Meals, applying is straightforward and confidential. Eligibility can bring significant additional benefits to your child and the school.
Please see the guidance and links below:
- Pupil Premium and Free School Meals – Information for Parents
- 2025 Free School Meals Information
- Step‑by‑step guide to applying for Free School Meals
If you would like help with the process or have any questions, our office team will be happy to support you.
📞 School Office: 01275 540077
Pupil Premium Strategy Statements
Each year we publish a Pupil Premium Strategy Statement, setting out:
- How funding is allocated
- The rationale for chosen approaches
- How impact is measured
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
During school holidays, North Somerset Council runs the Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) programme for children who receive benefits‑related Free School Meals.
Eligible children can access free holiday activity days, which include:
- A range of indoor and outdoor activities
- A healthy meal each day
- Opportunities to socialise and stay active during school holidays
Each child can attend up to 16 HAF days across the year.
For further information and to apply, please visit the North Somerset HAF programme pages.
For the academic year 2025/2026, we will receive £5600 of the Pupil Premium grant and £4200 of the Service Pupil Premium.
How we intend to spend our allocation for the academic year 2025/26:
- Training in pedagogy and high quality universal provision for all teaching staff
- Time for our ELSA to work with pupils with SEMH needs
- Pastoral support and resources for our Services children at appropriate times
- Financial reduction in school trips
- Financial reduction in residential visits
- Classroom specialised resources
- Purchase high quality texts for classrooms
The Senior Leadership Team and Governing Body monitor the impact of all spending and interventions, including the pupil premium. The strategy is reviewed during Term 2 of each year and the new strategy in place by 31st December each year.
