Culmstock Primary School

What is Pupil Premium Grant?(PPG)     

The Government considers the Pupil Premium to be a key element of their education policy. Introduced in April 2011, the Pupil Premium provides additional funding to schools to target specific groups of children who are vulnerable to underachievement.  These include pupils from low income families; children in care (or ceased to be in care due to adoption) and the children of armed service personnel. 

Why was PPG introduced?

The Government believes that the Pupil Premium, 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. The Department for Education urges schools and local authorities to encourage parents to register their child as eligible for FSM so that each school receives their maximum Pupil Premium entitlement.

Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit. However they will be held accountable for how they have used the additional funding to support pupils from low-income families. New measures have been included in the performance tables that capture the achievement of those deprived pupils covered by the Pupil Premium. From September 2012, schools were required to publish online information about how they have used the Premium. This will ensure that parents and others are made fully aware of the attainment of pupils covered by the Premium.

School statement Summary on Pupil Premium

• Culmstock Primary School is firmly committed to targeting PPG expenditure to support the raising of attainment for the most vulnerable pupils.

Free School Meals are available to any full-time pupil who is still at school and eligible. You can get Free School Meals for your child if you or your partner gets either:  

• 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 Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income of £16,190 or less, as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs 

Where a parent is entitled to Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work less than 16 hours per week, their children are entitled to free school lunches. Children who receive a qualifying benefit in their own right are also eligible to receive Free School Meals.   If you feel you are entitled to Free School Meals, you can apply online at https://oneonline.devon.gov.uk/CCSCitizenPortal_live   . If you need help in using this service, please contact the School Office.

How can parents contribute to the success of the Pupil Premium Scheme?

If your child is eligible for free school meals, it is worth registering them even if they're not going to have the school lunch. It will have a direct impact on the funding and will maximize the support we can provide. 

Parental support and involvement is a key factor in raising standards. If you would like help or advice with supporting your child, please contact Martin O'Mahony, Executive Head of the Culm Valley Federation.