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Pupil Premium

What is Pupil Premium?

Introduced in 2011, the pupil premium is a sum of money given to schools each year by the Government to improve the attainment of disadvantaged children.

This is based on research showing that children from low income families perform less well at school than their peers.

Often, children who are entitled to pupil premium face challenges such as poor language and communication skills, lack of confidence and issues with attendance and punctuality.  The pupil premium is intended to directly benefit the children who are eligible, helping to narrow the gap between them and their classmates.

How do I know if my child is eligible for the Pupil Premium funding?

Important Update: Free School Meals and Funding for 2026/27

From September 2026, all families receiving Universal Credit will qualify for free school meals.

Please read the information below so you know what support your child may receive and what forms you need to complete.

Primary School Meal Information

  • London Mayor’s Free School Meals: All children in London state primary schools (Years 3–6) can receive a free hot lunch.
  • Why You Still Need to Apply: Even if your child already gets a free meal, the school only receives extra funding (Pupil Premium) if you complete a FSM application. This funding pays for additional staff, learning support and school trips.

Income Thresholds Explained

Even though all Universal Credit families now get free meals, the government still uses income levels to decide who receives extra school funding (Pupil Premium).

  • Standard Universal Credit Families
  • Earnings £7,400 r less per year: Yur child gets free meals and the school receives Pupil Premium funding.
  • Earnings abve £7,400 per year: Yur child still gets free meals, but no Pupil Premium funding is given to the school.
  • Self‑Employed Families
  • If yu receive universal credit and your net annualised business income is £7,400 r less, yur child qualifies for Pupil Premium.
  • If yu earn more than this, your child still receives free meals.
  • Yu must complete a self‑emplyment declaration form and prvide your latest Universal Credit award letter or tax return.
  • Families with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

Children are eligible for Free School Meals in England provided the households annual income falls below strict maximum thresholds. For families able to work who are subject to NRPF conditions, the maximum gross annual household income limits apply:

  • Up t £31,200 annual incme for one child
  • Up t £34,800 annual incme for two or more children
  • Less than £16,000 in savings r assets

Families receiving Home Office Asylum support are automatically eligible for FSM, regardless of their total earnings.

While these pupils are eligible for FSM, they do not qualify for Pupil Premium funding.

How to Apply

Please complete the forms sent to you or ask the school for a paper copy of the appropriate form to complete.

Check if you can receive free school meals.  Click the image below to be taken to the website

Pupil Premium contact at Minet Junior School

The Admissions Officers. They are here to help support you and your family with any questions or queries about Pupil Premium or Free School Meals.

Please feel free to contact them on 01895 462 362.

The following are the targeted/specific programmes run to help with emotional and academic needs to help close the gap for our Pupil Premium children:

  • Intervention/small group work with a teacher or a TA
  • Intervention programmes –e.g. Fresh Start, read, write inc. Maths tracker, Numicon
  • Learning mentor sessions – 1:1 Nurture, Seasons for Growth, self-esteem, Lego therapy..
  • Breakfast club (Free of charge to our PPM and Ever 6 pupils)
  • Hot School meal at lunchtime
  • A range of after school clubs
  • Key support worker – To work with vulnerable families as part of Early Intervention including supporting attendance.
  • Assistance with Educational visits.
  • EAL targeted support
  • Free Fruit daily
  • Targeted support for emotional and behaviour barriers: Art therapy, Thrive Practitioner and a Boxing mentor programme.

Pupil Premium outcomes 2024-2025

Household Support Fund

The government announced that the Household Support Fund scheme will be extended from Monday 1 April until Monday 30th September 2024. 

About the Household Support Fund

This new grant funding to local authorities is intended to support low-income households with the cost of food, utilities (and essential goods, in exceptional circumstances).    

Hillingdon have received approximately £2 million to support Hillingdon residents. 

This scheme will run until no later than Monday 30th September 2024. Once funds have been exhausted, no further payments will be made.   

Households with children aged 0 to 19-years-old and in receipt of benefit related free school meals  

To be eligible for a grant, you must live in a household with children under 19-years-old who attend a school within Hillingdon and be in receipt of at least 1 of the following benefits:  

  • income support  
  • income-based jobseeker's allowance  
  • income-related employment and support allowance  
  • the guaranteed element of pension credit  
  • child tax credit (providing you are not also entitled to working tax credit and your annual gross income is no more than £16,190 )
  • working tax credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for working tax credit)  
  • universal credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year after tax and not including any benefits you get  
  • housing benefit and/or council tax reduction.

Food  

Subject to eligibility, you will receive £15 per child per week for a total of 8 weeks from April to September 2024.

These payments will be made the week before the school holiday period.

How to apply

We will be contacting households eligible for benefit-related free school meals using the data from schools.  

Important:

If your child receives benefit-related free school meals and you have not received a meal voucher, you must contact the school to check your eligibility we will then notify Hillingdon Council. 

Help with Holiday Childcare Costs

Working families with children aged 0-11 years old (up to 16 years old if the child has a disability) can get help with their childcare costs through Tax-Free Childcare. With a Tax-Free Childcare account, families could save up to £2000 per child per year. Tax-Free Childcare can be used for approved childcare including holiday clubs, after school clubs and childminders. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply: Get Tax-Free Childcare: step by step - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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