Our Pupil Premium Strategy

What is the Pupil Premium Grant ?

The Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) is additional funding for state-funded schools in England to improve the educational outcomes of disadvantaged pupils.

For the 2026–27 financial year, funding is allocated for pupils in Reception to Year 11 who:

• are eligible for targeted free school meals (FSM), or have been eligible at any point in the past six years (known as “Ever 6”);
• are previously looked-after children, including children adopted from care or who left care under a special guardianship or child arrangements order; or
• are looked-after by a local authority. Funding for looked-after children is allocated to the local authority.

Pupils eligible for service pupil premium may also attract funding. This is mainly intended to support their pastoral needs.

From September 2026, children in households receiving Universal Credit can get a free school meal regardless of earnings. However, only pupils who qualify for targeted FSM count towards Ever 6 and attract Pupil Premium through FSM eligibility. Pupils who qualify only for expanded FSM receive a free meal but do not attract Pupil Premium funding  on that basis.

PPG is funding for schools to improve outcomes; it is not a personal budget for each eligible pupil. Schools can use it to support other pupils with identified needs and whole-class approaches that also benefit other pupils.

Am i eligible for free school meals ?

In England, children in households receiving Universal Credit are now entitled to a free school meal, regardless of household earnings. Families need to apply, and the school or local authority must verify eligibility.

There are two categories:

• Targeted FSM: generally for households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less. This category can also qualify pupils for Pupil Premium and other targeted support.
• Expanded FSM: for households receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings above £7,400. This provides a free meal, but does not by itself qualify a pupil for Pupil Premium.

Some households may also qualify under other rules, including those receiving support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or the guarantee element of Pension Credit. Families with no recourse to public funds may also qualify under separate criteria. Check with your local authority for application details.

Universal infant free school meals are also available to all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at state-funded schools, such as Birdham CE Primary School.

What does PPG look like at Birdham CE Primary School?