Pupil Premium & Free School Meals

The Government introduced the Pupil Premium Grant in April 2011. This grant, which is additional to main school funding, is seen by the government as 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 Pupil Premium is allocated to schools and is clearly identifiable.

Schools can 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.

At Fairlawn Primary School we support all our pupils. We do this by providing high quality classroom teaching supplemented by interventions to support vulnerable learners as and when required. The Principal and Governing Body monitor the impact of all spending and interventions, including the Pupil Premium.

Currently, pupils in Years 1 and 2 as well as Reception children all receive free school meals, these are paid by government funding. This provision is called Universal Free School Meals or UFSM.

In addition to this funding, parents in low income families or those that are unemployed can also apply for Pupil Premium funding so that their children can receive free school meals in subsequent school years. Pupil Premium funding can also give children access to some discounted educational trips and events throughout their school years.

If you qualify, your child/children can receive free school meals and reduced costs towards some after school activities or curriculum enrichment opportunities such as learning to play an instrument. If you are registered for Pupil Premium you may also get help with the cost of day trips and residential trips. In addition to the above support, you will also receive financial help with the cost of your child's school uniform.

For every child registered and deemed eligible, Fairlawn Primary School gets £1,320. This additional funding allows us to provide an even better education for your child through the purchase of additional resources or staff to support learning.

Are you eligible?

Everyone who starts at Fairlawn School is asked to complete and sign a form which allows the school to check eligibility. The outcome will be subject to whether you receive any of these benefits:

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 you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £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

Please note you are not eligible if you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit.

If applicable, no one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming, here is the direct link to check https://www.bristol.gov.uk/schools-learning-early-years/free-school-meals