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Pupil Premium
At Castle Academy, we believe that every child is capable of achieving their potential and excelling in all areas, no matter their starting point. Our aim is to raise attainment, achievement and attendance of the pupils entitled to pupil premium funding and enrich school and outer school time with academic and wellbeing experiences.
Children in receipt of Pupil Premium funding are entitled to access educational school visits throughout their time at school, at a subsidised rate and receive a uniform entitlement to the value of a free jumper or other uniform items and a carton of milk each day.
Castle Academy runs a food bank for any families within our wider community who find themselves needing extra support. For further information click here.
At the bottom of the page you can view our latest Pupil Premium and Covid catch-up funding reports.
Pupil premium support for pupils who have to stay at home during National Lockdown
During the national lockdown, school will continue supporting children eligible for benefits-related free school meals who are at home during term time. This support will be in the form of a voucher scheme of £15 per eligible child, per week which is sent directly to our families via email. If you would like any further information regarding this please contact the school office.
Providing meals for eligible pupils attending school
Meals will continue to be provided for pupils who meet the benefits related free school meals eligibility criteria.
What is Pupil Premium?
Pupil Premium is additional funding given to schools to address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their peers. Pupil premium was introduced in April 2011 and is allocated to school. The funding is used to target these children and support them in their learning and their wellbeing. Funding is allocated per year for the eligible pupils. It is for the schools to decide how the funding is best spent, due to their knowledge of the pupils needs.
Ofsted Recommendations
Ofsted conducted a survey of the use of the Pupil Premium in 2012. Recommendations from the findings included:
- School leaders, including governing bodies, should ensure that Pupil Premium funding is not simply absorbed into mainstream budgets, but instead is carefully targeted at the designated children. They should be able to identify clearly how the money is being spent.
- School leaders, including governing bodies, should evaluate their Pupil Premium spending, avoid spending it on activities that have little impact on achievement for their disadvantaged pupils, and spend it in ways known to be most effective.
- Schools should continue to seek ways to encourage parents and carers to apply for FSM where pride, stigma or changing circumstances act as barriers to its take-up
- Ofsted should continue to evaluate the use of Pupil Premium funding by schools to ensure that they are focusing it on disadvantaged pupils and using it effectively.
Pupil premium funding represents a very small proportion of our overall budget, however we are committed to providing personalised targeted support to ensure that it is spent to maximum effect for identified pupils.
Pupil Premium - application
You can apply for the Pupil Premium which provides your child's school with additional funding to support them. If you are in receipt of any of the below benefits please apply.
If you are in receipt of any of the following, your child may be eligible for free school meals.
- Income Support
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income based Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit, with no element of Working Tax Credit, and a household income below £16,190 (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs)
- Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
If a child resides in a local authority care home they will not qualify for free school meals. This is because government funding has already been allocated to fund their meals.
How do I apply?
To apply for Free School Meals/Pupil Premium please complete an online form which will give you an instant decision. Please see link below:
Or, if you prefer, come to the office with your National Insurance number or National Asylum Seekers Support number and someone will help you to apply.
Please click on the links below to view our latest Pupil Premium information.
Castle Academy Pupil Premium Allocation and Impact 2019-20
Castle Academy Pupil Premium Strategy 2020/21
Castle Academy Covid Catch-Up Funding
