St John's Church of England School

If your child is eligible for ‘free school meals’ and you register them for this, we will receive extra funding called ‘pupil premium’. We use this extra money to improve the educational provision and resources at the school.

What is pupil premium funding?

Pupil premium funding from the government is given to schools to help pupils reach their full potential, regardless of their background or financial situation. It’s provided for pupils who:

• Are registered for free school meals
• Have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years
• Are, or have been, in care
• Have parents in the armed forces

At St John’s Church of England School, we get an extra £1,455 for the 2023/24 financial year for every eligible pupil who is registered for free school meals. This extra money could make a real difference to the quality of education we offer.

For example, we’ve previously used pupil premium funding for:

• Educational provision/resources
• Academic interventions
• Wellbeing and self-esteem building interventions
• Wider educational opportunities

Is my child eligible for free school meals?

Your child might be eligible if you access:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or 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
• Universal Credit, provided you have an annual net earned income not exceeding £7,400 (£616.67 per month)

Universal infant free school meals

Children in Reception , Years 1 and years 2 are entitled to free school meals thanks to a different government funding scheme known as universal infant free school meals (UIFSM). You shouldn’t confuse UIFSM with free schools meals and the pupil premium.

NEW - One off funding for 2023-2024

From 1st September 2023 all pupils in Reception through to Year 6 are entitled to a free school meal. This is only available to London schools and is one-off funding from the Government for one year only.

However, If your child in any year group is  eligible for free school meals according to the criteria above, you should still register because we’ll receive the extra pupil premium funding.

Does my child have to eat the free school meals?

No. Pupils who are registered for free school meals don’t have to eat them. If you’re eligible but you want your child to have packed lunches you should still register because the school will receive the funding which can support your child in other ways.

How do I register?

The school is able to perform a quick and easy eligibility check on your behalf.  We only need your date of birth and National Insurance number.  Alternatively, you can perform an eligibility check by registering through Harrow Council on http://www.harrow.gov.uk/info/17/school_grants_and_funding/1737/free_school_meals  or https://pps.lgfl.org.uk/

Armed Forces children

If you are a ‘Service’ family and your child/ren attend the school this will also generate some extra funding towards your child’s educational opportunities.

Was your child adopted from care or in Special Guardianship?

The Government also gives funding to provide additional income for schools to support children who have been adopted from care. This funding is called Pupil Premium Plus. Unfortunately, we are not advised on whether or not children have ever been in care and or adopted. We therefore ask parents to let us know that they have adopted children from care so that the school can claim the funding available for the next financial year.

As this is a sensitive issue this notification is to allow you to make the choice whether or not you wish to disclose this information. All information received will be treated in strictest confidence.

This additional funding is only eligible for students who:

• Left care under a Residential Order (under the Children Act 1989)
• Left care under a Special Guardianship Order (under the Children Act 1989)
• Were adopted from care (under the Adoption and Children Act 2002)

If your child fits into any of the above categories and you are willing for this information to be included in a Department for Education (DfE) Statutory return, please contact the school office giving the name and date of birth of the child concerned as soon as possible. You will then be contacted and asked to provide supporting evidence, i.e. the Adoption (Court) Order. In order for us to claim the funding for the next financial year, the information will need to be included in the Census return that is sent to the DfE each JANUARY.

Pupil Premium Plus funding is not ring-fenced. It is designed to provide specific support to raise attainment and address the wider needs of children in this group. National statistics show that children in care may face unique challenges and could struggle to keep up with their peers. It is vital that they are given the targeted support they need and the education they deserve to help them get on in life.

There is no obligation for you to share this information with us, but in doing so your child may be given additional support with their education.

More information

We have recently carried out a review of our Pupil Premium provision. From 1^st September 2023 the following will apply to all Pupil Premium children.

Core Entitlement

If your child is entitled to Pupil Premium funding the core entitlement will be:

• Some free or reduced school day trips
• A reduction in residential trips
• Option of 1 after school club free each week
• Monitoring of achievement and progress by a Senior Leader and Phase Leader

Needs Led Entitlement – depending on the individual needs further support could be:

• Counselling
• Play Therapy
• Interventions – both social and academic
• Booster sessions (pre-teach)
• 1:1 Mentoring
• Enrichment for the more able
• Support with uniform
• Young Carers
• Additional support
• Forest school
• Support with music tuition

If you have any questions or specific concerns, please contact the School Business Manager, Mrs Eileen Bacchus, through the school office email office@stjohns.harrow.sch.uk