Pupil Premium
Background to the Pupil Premium
Introduced in April 2011, the Pupil Premium is a government initiative that provides additional funding aimed at learners from deprived backgrounds. Research shows that learners from deprived backgrounds underachieve compared to their non‐deprived peers. The Pupil Premium is provided to support these learners in reaching their potential by accelerating their progress.
The Government has used learners entitled to Free School Meals and those who are looked after, as an indicator of deprivation. They have given a fixed amount of money to schools per learner, based on the number of learners registered for Free School Meals and who are looked after by the local authority. A premium has also been introduced for children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces or those who have been adopted. This service premium is designed to address the emotional and social well-being of these learners.
Brownhill is a dedicated special school catering to students with a range of special educational needs (SEN). Our ethos is built around creating an inclusive, nurturing environment where every child can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Many of our pupils face additional challenges due to complex SEMH needs, and we are committed to ensuring that the Pupil Premium Grant is used effectively to enhance their educational experiences and outcomes.
Free School Meals
You can get free school meals if you are responsible for a child (for example, you receive Child Benefit for them) who is at school – including nursery children who attend full days at a school nursery and sixth form students – if you get one of these qualifying incomes:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Universal Credit (provided your household income is less than £7,400 a year after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
If your child is eligible for free school meals, they will remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they are in on 31 March 2024.
Please use the Online Free school Meal Checker to see if you are eligible. You will get an immediate response as to whether you are eligible or not and will not be required to fill out any further paperwork.