Pupil Premium
The Pupil Premium is funding provided by the Government that is additional to main school funding.
At Benton Dene School, over 50% of our children are eligible for Pupil Premium funding. It is our responsibility to ensure that this funding is used to support our pupils and ensure everyone can reach their full potential.
What is the Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium was introduced in April 2011 and is additional funding that the government gives to schools for each pupil who is entitled to this. The money must be spent to support the education of pupils who are eligible, but it can also be used more widely, for example for staff training - developing skills to support all pupils. More information about this can be found on the Department of Education’s website: www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/premium
Who receives the Pupil Premium?
Pupil Premium can be allocated to all pupils from Reception. You are entitled to this funding if you are registered for Free School Meals (FSM), or if you have been registered for FSM at any point in the last six years (this is known as ‘Ever 6’). Pupil Premium is also allocated to adopted children and children who have been in care continuously for 6 months or more (known as ‘child in care’ children).
Who is eligible for free school meals?
Children are eligible for free school meals if their parents or carers receive any one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Pension Credit Guarantee
- Child Tax Credit without Working Tax Credit and an annual taxable income below £16,190.
If you think you may be eligible, please contact the school and we can support you to apply for this.
What is Early Years Pupil Premium?
The Early Years Pupil Premium is additional funding that the government gives to schools for each pupil of 3 or 4 years old, who is deemed to be ‘disadvantaged’.
How do parents register their child’s entitlement for Pupil Premium?
We urge all parents and carers to register for free school meals if you feel you may be eligible. Not only does this ensure your child can have a school meal, if they wish, but it also entitles you to meal vouchers during school holidays (when these are offered), access to the Holiday Activity Fund. In addition, if you don’t register, the school misses out on vital government funding which can be used to support your child.
Registering for free school meals in North Tyneside is easy, there are no lengthy or complicated application forms and there is no obligation for your child to take school meals just because they are registered.
Simply call North Tyneside Council’s Student Support Service on 0191 643 2288 to find out if you are eligible, and to complete a short telephone application. You will need your National Insurance number when you call. Alternatively, you can find out more and download an application form by clicking on the link to the North Tyneside website: https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/238/free-school-meals
How must schools spend the Pupil Premium?
Funding is not ring-fenced and schools are free to spend the money as they wish in order to improve pupils’ attainment. Schools must monitor the impact of their chosen approaches to improve provision for pupils entitled to the Pupil Premium.
How are schools held accountable?
The Ofsted Inspection Framework ensures that inspectors focus on the achievement of those pupils who are eligible for the Pupil Premium. Also, the Department for Education’s performance tables give details about the group achievements of pupils entitled to free school meals and the Pupil Premium. Information about individual schools can be found here on the Department for Education’s website.
How are parents informed about the use of the Pupil Premium?
The school’s governing body must publish information about Pupil Premium expenditure on the school-website every year. Information about individual pupils is not shared and they will never be identified through any published information.
How has the Pupil Premium been used at Benton Dene School and what difference has it made?
Please see the report below which shows the impact of the way we spent the Pupil Premium money last year and also shows how we intend to use the money to make a difference this academic year.
The Government believe that it 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 disadvantaged reaches the pupils who need it most.’ DfE.
Is your child entitled to free school meals/pupil premium funding?
