Pupil Premium
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What is Pupil Premium?
Pupil premium is funding to improve education outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in schools in England. Evidence shows that disadvantaged children generally face additional challenges in reaching their potential at school and often do not perform as well as other pupils.
Pupil Premium funding is an amount of money awarded to a school to help provide additional support to those pupils who are in receipt of Free School Meals (not universal), have been entitled to Free School Meals in the last six years, have been adopted from care or have a parent in the Armed Forces.
The Government believes that the Pupil Premium funding, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current inequalities in attainment by ensuring that funding is used to reach out to those pupils who need it most.
It is up to schools to decide how the Pupil Premium is spent since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility. The amount of money varies depending on which category a child is eligible for.
Free School Meals – Important Changes from September 2026
From 1 September 2026, Free School Meals arrangements changed nationally. In Cheshire East there are now three types of Free School Meal entitlement: Universal Infant Free School Meals, Targeted Free School Meals and Expanded Free School Meals.
1. Universal Infant Free School Meals
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are automatically entitled to a free school meal.
You do not need to apply for Universal Infant Free School Meals.
However, if you meet the criteria for Targeted Free School Meals, it is still very important that you apply. This is because Targeted FSM eligibility can also attract Pupil Premium funding for the school.
2. Targeted Free School Meals
Targeted Free School Meals is based on the existing threshold, covering pupils in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less
3. Expanded Free School Meals
This is a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit
What to do if you believe that your child may qualify for Free School Meals of Pupil Premium?
If you believe you may qualify for Free School Meals or Pupil Premium, we strongly urge you to apply.
You can find more details about Pupil Premium on our catering page.
Please check your entitlement by phoning the Helpline below:
Free School Meal Helpline: 0300 123 5012
Alternatively you can complete the Free School Meals enquiry form online at
http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schools/free_school_meals.aspx
You can read more about applying for Free School Meals here https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals