Pupil Premium
What is Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium is additional funding provided by the Government to help schools close the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers. It is designed to ensure that support reaches the children who need it most.
“The Government believes that the Pupil Premium, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their peers by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most.”
— Department for Education
Introduced in April 2011, the Pupil Premium is allocated to schools for:
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Pupils who have been registered for Free School Meals (FSM) at any point in the last six years
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Children who are or have been in care (Looked After Children)
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Children of service personnel
At Wittersham Church of England Primary School, we are committed to using this funding thoughtfully and effectively to make a meaningful difference to children’s lives and learning. Our Pupil Premium Strategy is shaped by evidence-based research, including guidance from the Sutton Trust–EEF Teaching and Learning Toolkit, ensuring our approaches are targeted, purposeful, and impactful.
How much is the funding worth?
From April 2025, schools will receive £1,515 for every eligible primary pupil registered for Free School Meals. This makes a significant difference to the resources, support, and opportunities we can provide. Importantly, even if your child is in EYFS or KS1 and already receives a Universal Infant Free School Meal, registering for Pupil Premium means the school still receives this additional funding.
What does Pupil Premium provide at Wittersham?
Last year, this funding supported access to school trips and residential visits, provided additional classroom resources, and contributed to our Nurture provision. It also helped us to provide direct learning support and enrichment opportunities.
This year, we are continuing to use Pupil Premium to strengthen both academic progress and wider wellbeing. Our plans include:
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Expanding the Nurture Breakfast Club to support children with a calm and positive start to the day
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Increasing small-group and one-to-one interventions in reading, writing, and maths
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Ensuring funding for school trips, sports events, and residential visits so every child can participate fully
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Developing resources in The Orchard to further support social, emotional, and mental health needs
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Offering wider enrichment opportunities to build confidence, cooperation, and curiosity
How do I apply?
You only need to apply once, and the process is quick and straightforward. Applications can be completed online via Kent County Council: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals
If you would prefer support with the process, our Family Liaison Officer, Mrs Sterriker-Rhodes, is happy to help. You can contact her through the school office or by email at flo@wittersham.kent.sch.uk
Find out more
Further details on how we use our Pupil Premium funding can be found on our school website, where we publish both last year’s impact report and this year’s planned strategy.
If you think your child may be eligible, or would like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to contact either myself or Mrs Sterriker-Rhodes for a confidential conversation. We can guide you through eligibility and explain how this funding can provide tailored support for your child — academically, socially, and emotionally.