Pupil Premium

What is the Pupil Premium Funding?

Pupil Premium is additional funding we receive which is targeted at children from low-income families. This funding ensures that the children benefit from the same opportunities as children from higher income households. We aim to maximise your child’s learning potential by using this funding effectively.
Pupil Premium funding provides additional support for pupils who:

  • Are presently registered for free school meals
  • Have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years
  • Are, or have previously been in care
  • Have parents in the armed forces

The Government pay Pupil Premium funding is directly to our school and cannot be paid to parents or carers. It makes a big difference to St Mary’s and our eligible pupils. We agree strategies with our staff and governors to ensure that we use the funding in the most appropriate way to benefit your child.
We report on how we spend the money on our website (see below).

How much is it worth?

For each child registered, from April 2026, the school will recieve:

  • £1,550 for pupils in reception to year 6
  • £1,100 for pupils in years 7 through to 11
  • £2,690 for pupils who are in care or have left local authority care through adoption/special guardianship order/child arrangements order/residence order.
  • £360 for pupils where either a parent is a serving member of the armed forces or has been in service during the childs education.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium/pupil-premium#pupil-eligibility-and-funding-rates

How can I find out if my child is eligible?

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

  • Income related employment or support allowance
  • Support under Part Vl of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guaranteed element of pension credit
  • Child tax credit (provided you’re not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working tax credit run-on- paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit
  • Universal Credit – if you apply on or after 1st April 2018, you’re household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you may get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

  • Younger than the compulsory age for starting school
  • In full-time education

How do I apply for free school meals?

The process to confirm your child’s eligibility is very quick and simple. Please navigate to https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/school-meals/free_school_meals.aspx, which provides up-to-date criteria information. You can also apply online from this page or alternatively telephone Cheshire East (0300 123 5012).

It is worth making a claim for free school meals even if your child is in Key Stage 1 as we can still claim this additional funding.

You can also apply for your nursery-age children if they attend sessions at our Nursery.

Does my child have to eat the free school meal?

No, however we would suggest that your child samples our varied menu choices.

Pupils who are registered for free school meals can, as an alternative bring a home packed lunch provided by you. By simply registering your child, we will still receive the additional funding, which will support your child.

Are free school meals different to the free meal provided already in Early Years and Key Stage 1?

Yes. Currently pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free school meal under the Universal Free School Meal (UIFSM) Government Initiative. The Government does not provide any additional Pupil Premium funding under the UIFSM initiative.

If your child is in Nursery or classes 1 to 9 and could be eligible for free school meals based on the criteria above, please register your child’s eligibility as we will then receive the additional Pupil Premium funding.

My child is already receiving free school meals, what else do I have to do?

If your child is in Year 3 or above you do not have to do anything else as we have the information we need.

What do I have to do if my circumstances change and our family income increases?

You will need to inform Cheshire East Council but you will be told how to do this in the letter you receive confirming that your child is eligible for free school meals.

How will St Mary’s use the money to support my child?

We use the funding in many different ways including:

  • Improving educational provision and resources
  • Providing additional, targeted, academic intervention programmes
  • Offering targeted self-esteem building programmes
  • Providing pupil counselling services
  • Offering subsidies for year 4 and year 6 residential visits
  • Subsidising music tuition
  • Subsidising extra-curricular clubs

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2025