Pupil Premium is the amount of money allocated to the most disadvantaged children in order to close the attainment difference between them and their peers. Over the last few years, the focus has moved away from just children who are underperforming to include children who are coasting or children who could be considered to be most able. This has generated a shift in the deployment of staff and additional funding.

The government believes that the Pupil Premium, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM), looked after children & service children and pupils who do not face these challenges.

Four categories which make children eligible for the additional funding:

• Children who have been eligible for Free School Meals at any point in the last 6 years
• Children who are currently eligible for Free School Meals
• Looked after children / Previously Looked after children
• Children of Service personnel

Children will be eligible for Free School Meals if parents receive:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI 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 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Pupil Premium is allocated straight to our school and it is clearly identifiable. Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they feel is appropriate. The government thinks that schools are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for individual pupils within their responsibility. However all schools will be held accountable for how they have used additional funding to support pupils from low-income families and in care. The schools must report annually how the money has been spent and what the impact has been made on the achievements of the pupils.​

The proportion of children eligible for the Pupil Premium Grant at Clifton Primary School is currently 20%.