The Pupil Premium is additional funding provided by the Department for Education to help schools improve the educational outcomes of disadvantaged pupils and to close the attainment gap between these pupils and their peers. At our school, we are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances.

For the 2026–2027 financial year, schools receive Pupil Premium funding for:

• Pupils in Reception to Year 6 who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) or have been eligible at any point in the last six years (Ever 6 FSM): £1,550 per pupil
• Pupils in Years 7 to 11 who are eligible for FSM or have been eligible at any point in the last six years (Ever 6 FSM): £1,100 per pupil
• Previously Looked After Children (PLAC): £2,690 per pupil
• Looked After Children (LAC): £2,690 per pupil
• Service children: £360 per pupil

Changes to Free School Meals from September 2026

From September 2026, the government is expanding Free School Meal eligibility to all children from households receiving Universal Credit. As a result, there are now two categories of Free School Meals:

Targeted Free School Meals (Targeted FSM)

• Available to pupils whose household income meets the existing earnings threshold of £7,400 per year (excluding benefits).
• Pupils eligible for Targeted FSM will continue to attract Pupil Premium funding.

Expanded Free School Meals (Expanded FSM)

• Available to all other pupils in households receiving Universal Credit.
• Provides access to free school meals only.
• Pupils eligible solely through Expanded FSM do not attract Pupil Premium funding and will not become part of the Ever 6 FSM cohort.

You will be asked to complete a form so that we can check your eligibility through the school – please contact us for more information to discuss further:

alindsay@st-thomasmore.southend.sch.uk

 

How We Use Pupil Premium Funding

We use our Pupil Premium funding strategically to remove barriers to learning and ensure that disadvantaged pupils achieve the best possible outcomes. Funding may be used to support:

• High-quality teaching and learning
• Targeted academic interventions
• Social, emotional and wellbeing support
• Attendance and engagement initiatives
• Access to educational visits, enrichment opportunities and extracurricular activities
• Resources and support that enable pupils to fully participate in school life

Our approach is informed by evidence-based practice and is reviewed regularly to ensure that funding has the greatest possible impact on pupils' achievement, wellbeing and future opportunities.

Parents and carers are encouraged to apply for Free School Meals if they believe their child may be eligible. Registering not only provides access to free meals where applicable but may also help the school secure valuable additional funding to support pupils through the Pupil Premium programme.

Schools have the flexibility to spend their funding in the best way for their cohort and circumstances.  To support school to make the best use of this funding, the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) published Support Guide for Schools with evidence based approaches to support education recovery.  St Thomas More has used this document to help direct additional funding in the most effective way.