Our aim at Ryecroft is that all children, regardless of their background, should have equal access to a curriculum that allows them to achieve and maximise their full potential. Nationally, research has demonstrated that children from disadvantaged families have not always attained or progressed at the same rate as their peers from non-disadvantages homes. The Pupil Premium is a government initiative which provides an extra set amount of funding to each child who is eligible for Free School Meals (Their measure of deprivation) As a school we then must look strategically at the barriers to learning faced by this group of children and plan to ‘close the gap’ between the two groups. Although the government do not dictate the use of the money exactly, as a school we must rightly account for this funding and ensure that we use thoroughly researched projects and proven initiatives to support our Pupil Premium children.

 

To ensure a clear and consistent focus on providing value for money for these children, Pupil Progress meetings are used termly, after rigorous assessment, to track the progress and attainment of these children and ensure the funding is having an impact. This includes additional focus on attendance for these children.

 

What is Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium funding of £1480 per child is allocated to children who are eligible for Free School Meals. This payment from the government comes into the school budget when families apply for the funding to the local authority (Rotherham) This allows school to support additional learning and extra-curricular activities such as visits, clubs and breakfast club places. This also means families receive supermarket vouchers (£15 per week, per child) during the school holidays to ensure food can be purchased for children whilst they are not in our setting. The children keep this benefit even if your circumstances change.

 

But don’t all infant children get a Free School Meal anyway?

All children receive a Free School Meal while they are at Ryecroft which is called Universal Free School Meals but without our families applying for the Pupil Premium children will not be able to access the extra benefits such as the free clubs and vouchers. Once children are in the juniors (KS2 or older) families have to apply for the Free School Meal anyway. If you apply whilst children are in the infants, they keep that benefit even if your circumstances change.

 

Is your child eligible?

Families need to be is receipt of certain benefits to be eligible for Pupil Premium. Some of these are:

• 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' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they 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) at the time of your application. If your income goes above the threshold in the future, but you remain on Universal Credit, your child will remain eligible. If you applied before 1 April 2018 there was no household income threshold for Universal Credit claimants.

 

If you are unsure you can always make a claim and the local council will you know if you are eligible.

 

How to claim

Follow the link below and provide the information through the online form. The council will then get in touch with you and the school to let you know if you are entitled.

 

https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/xfp/form/1502

 

What if my child prefers to have a packed lunch?

They can still bring a packed lunch every day or on some days if they prefer.