Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) is additional funding which is allocated to schools on the basis of the number of pupils who have been eligible for free school meals (FSM) at any point over the last six years (known as ‘Ever 6 FSM’).

The Government believes that the Pupil Premium, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their wealthier peers by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most. The Department for Education urges schools and local authorities to encourage parents to register their child as eligible for FSM so that each school receives their maximum Pupil Premium entitlement. 

Academies must use PPG funding for the purpose of raising the educational attainment of PLAC, LAC and pupils who are recorded as FSM Ever 6. Our three year strategy can be viewed by clicking on the link below

In line with the 3-tiered approach in EEF’s pupil premium guide, activities must be those that:

• support the quality of teaching, such as staff professional development
• provide targeted academic support, such as tutoring, and
• tackle non-academic barriers to academic success, such as attendance, behaviour and social and emotional support.

In 2025 to 2026, schools will receive the following funding for each child registered as eligible for free school meals at any point in the last 6 years.

• £1,515 for pupils in reception year to year 6
• £2630 for Looked After Children (LAC) or previously Looked After Children (PLAC)
• £350 for service children

Eligibility for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium

Parents should check eligibility for free school meals by visiting the GOV.UK website. 

You may qualify if you are a parent, guardian or carer and receive one of the following:

• Income Support (IS) or you are a pupil receiving the benefit in your own right
• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999; or
• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999: For those seeking asylum. 
• Children who get any of the above benefits in their own right (ie they get benefits payments directly, instead of through a parent or guardian) can also get free school meals.