The DfE has allocated funding to every school to address inequalities between children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) and other children. The following is a quote from the DfE website: ‘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.’
Pupils Premium funding is calculated using the number of pupils that are entitled to free school meals. This is still the case in London where pupils receive universal free school meals. It is therefore really important that parents who they feel they are entitled to free school meals still apply to Camden for them in order to secure pupil premium funding.
The Pupil Premium Grant is not ‘ring-fenced’ and schools are free to spend it as they wish but need to demonstrate that the expenditure is contributing to closing performance gaps between children who experience social disadvantage and others. The grant is intended to benefit children who are currently in school. Reports are written annually and data is reviewed.
Our data shows that disadvantaged pupils consistently attain at least in line with other pupils, so we are confident that our approach to spending pupils premium funding works.
Please see the reports attached below.
Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 25-26
Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2024- 2025