Pupil Premium

The Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) was first introduced in April 2011 to provide additional funding to schools to support pupils who may experience barriers to achieving their full potential as a result of disadvantage.

Evidence indicates that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds can face a range of barriers that may affect their attainment, progress, attendance, engagement and wider educational experiences. Pupil Premium funding enables schools to develop and implement targeted, evidence-informed approaches to address these barriers and improve outcomes.

The purpose of the funding is not simply to narrow attainment gaps, but to ensure that disadvantaged pupils receive the support, opportunities and high-quality education they need to achieve well and thrive. Schools are expected to use their Pupil Premium allocation strategically, based on an understanding of the specific needs and barriers experienced by their disadvantaged pupils, and to evaluate the impact of their approach.

The Pupil Premium Grant for the 2026/27 financial year will include pupils recorded in the October 2025 school census who have had a recorded period of FSM eligibility since (and including) January 2020, as well as those first recorded as eligible in October 2025 (known as ‘Ever 6 FSM’). Schools also receive funding for children who were previously looked-after by a local authority or other state care (PLAC). Children who are looked after by the local authority receive funding as well – this is paid to the local authority. Children of service personnel also receive a premium. Premium rates for 2026/27 are as follows:

Implications from September 2026

From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) is delivering an expansion to FSM eligibility to include all pupils from households in receipt of Universal Credit. There will then be 2 categories of FSM:

• Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing £7,400 income threshold
• Expanded FSM, which will apply to meals only, covering pupils who do not qualify for Targeted FSM, but who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit

Following the expansion of FSM, only pupils eligible for Targeted FSM will be part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort. This means that pupils who become eligible for FSM for the first time through the new Expanded FSM category will not attract pupil premium funding.

Pupils who were eligible for FSM before the expansion will continue to be part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort after the expansion. That includes any pupil whose household income increases after the expansion, such that they either lose FSM eligibility altogether or become eligible for FSM through Expanded FSM. Such pupils will remain part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort for 6 years.

Source: DfE Pupil Premium Overview – GOV.UK

Context of our school

St Michael with St John CE Primary School is situated in an area of high deprivation. The School Profile (2025) indicates that 63% of pupils live in the bottom third of most deprived areas in the town, compared to the Local Authority average of 55%. 

As a result of this, our disadvantaged pupils may experience the following circumstances:

• low income households;
• poor or overcrowded housing;
• low levels of communication, language, literacy and numeracy;
• a lack of nursery provision leading to delayed social, emotional and academic development; 
• speaking English as an additional language due to them coming from homes where little or no English is spoken;
• restricted opportunities to enrich and extend learning outside of school.

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement

A 3-year Pupil Premium Strategy Statement is produced with details of the pupil premium funding allocated to our school, proposed spending of the allocated funding and priorities for the current academic year, along with the impact of the pupil premium funding on attainment and progress during the previous academic year. This serves as a report about how the pupil premium funding has been used to implement strategies to support disadvantaged pupils. The Pupil Premium Strategy Statement is a 3-year plan. However, it is reviewed on a termly basis and updated annually to reflect the impact of chosen actions on pupil outcomes. Please see below:

Free School Meals

HELP YOUR CHILD AND OUR SCHOOL BY APPLYING FOR FREE SCHOOL MEALS

Did you know that even if your child is in Reception, Year 1, or Year 2 and already receives Universal Free School Meals, applying for free school meals could benefit our school and your child?

If your child is eligible for free school meals due to your household income, submitting an application means our school may receive additional funding through the Pupil Premium Grant. This extra funding helps us to provide valuable resources, support, and enrichment activities for all children, along with your child receiving additional subsidies.

Why Should You Apply?

• There’s no change to your child’s meals - they’ll continue to enjoy their free school lunch as usual.
• Our school will receive extra funding that directly benefits your child and the school.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify, your family must be getting Universal Credit. There will be two types of support:

Targeted free school meals

Your child can get this if your household:

• gets Universal Credit, and

• earns £7,400 a year or less

If your child qualifies, they will:

• get free school meals

• help their school receive extra funding (like pupil premium)

Expanded free school meals (new)

Your child can get this if your household:

• gets Universal Credit, and
• earns more than £7,400 a year

If your child qualifies, they will:

• get free school meals
• not bring in extra funding for the school

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Important changes

The current protection rules will end in July 2026.

This means children will not stay eligible automatically.

Checks will be carried out to see who still qualifies from September 2026.

How to Apply

1. Visit the following link or click here: https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-and-pupil-support/free-school-meals
2. Fill in the online form or get support in doing this at the school office.
3. Submit your application - it’s quick, easy, and confidential.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility or have questions, please contact the school office on 01254 665190 or pop in and speak to someone. We’re here to help!

Your application can make a big difference in supporting you, your child and our school community, so please apply if you think you may be eligible.