What is Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is additional funding given to schools so that we can support our disadvantaged pupils and close the attainment gap between them and their peers.

Is Pupil Premium the same as free school meals?

Pupil Premium is an allocation of funding from the Government that is given separately to the main school budget. 

The government provide this money to help school address the current national inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their peers.

Who can apply for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium?

You can apply for free school meals if you are in receipt of any of these benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (as long as 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 (paid for four weeks after you 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. This is also called the 'minimum income floor'.) If your child is eligible for free school meals they will be eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they are in on 31 March 2023.

What is the money used for?

All trips have an automatic discount applied for FSM pupils, which will be reflected in the amount to pay on ParentPay.  The school will also provide any revision books your child might need and will contribute towards music lessons, if your child has them.

If you need any further support beyond this, for example contributions towards uniform or other opportunities that may run in the school year, you can contact Mandi Davies, our Pupil Premium Co-ordinator (mdavies@gordanoschool.org.uk), and we will seek to do all that we can to support you.  

This money makes a big difference to schools and the eligible pupils.

What support will be given to pupil premium students?

All students will receive additional academic support and encouragement, to ensure that they have a positive and successful learning experience. The Expectation Chart below outlines the ways in which the school community works together to support our Pupil Premium and disadvantaged students. Additional interventions may form a part of this support, where a need is identified.

 

How do I apply for free school meals?

You can check your eligibility and apply for free school meals here 

Who can I contact for more information?

• Mandi Davies at Gordano School (mdavies@gordanoschool.org.uk)
• North Somerset council directly (fsm@n-somerset.gov.uk)

How does my child access their Free School Meal each day?

Students' ID cards are funded with £3.45 each day, which will buy a main meal, pudding and drink at lunchtime (£2.45), as well as a snack at breaktime (£1) using exactly the same system that all students use to purchase food in our canteen and dining hall.