The Pupil Premium is additional funding for school age children that is allocated to schools to help support socially disadvantaged pupils. This includes pupils entitled to Free School Meals, children of service personnel and Children in Care. Research shows these pupils underachieve compared to their peers, so the purpose of the pupil premium is to close this attainment gap and to support these more vulnerable groups of pupils to reach their potential. We maintain an on-going programme of support and monitoring for pupils with Pupil Premium support. All schools are required to report on the amount of funding and how this is being used.
We are committed to supporting improved outcomes for our disadvantaged pupils.
Free School Meals
All children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at state schools in England automatically receive Universal Free School Meals. From Y3 onwards, children whose parents are receiving any of the following benefits are also entitled to free school meals:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
- Income Support (IS).
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA).
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA).
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income that does not exceed £16,190).
- Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment you get for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
How to apply for free school meals:
Apply through the Gloucestershire Citizens Portal. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision.
You can view our Pupil Premium Strategy Statements below for the current and previous years.
Please see below for our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement for 2025-2028.
Pupil_premium_strategy_statement_Slimbridge_Dec2025