The pupil premium is funding allocated to schools for the specific purpose of boosting the attainment of pupils from low-income families. Funding is based on children who have registered for a free school meal at any point in the last 6 years, children that have been in care for more than six months and children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces.
Why has it been introduced?
The Government believes that the Pupil Premium (PPG), 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. Whilst schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit we are required to publish online information about how we have used the Premium.
Our Pupil Premium Strategy is reviewed fully annually. Interim progress and impact is measured termly. The next review will be in January 2026. The progress of individual eligible pupils will be reviewed at least termly and for some may be more often than this due to the nature of their individual targets.
Key facts:
Mereside currently has 20.6% of its pupils eligible for PPG, which is slightly below the national average of 24.6% (correct at September 2024 statistical release – DFE)
PPG is currently funded at £1,480 per eligible pupil.
If a pupil is no longer eligible for free school meals, they remain eligible for the pupil premium grant for a further 6 years.
Children in local authority care (LAC) are also eligible for a grant of £2,570 (50% of this currently remains with the local authority virtual school).
Children who are previously looked after (PLAC) are eligible for £2,570 PPG grant.
Please see below for details of our current Pupil Premium report.