Pupil Premium is additional funding provided to publicly funded schools in England to improve the academic outcomes of disadvantaged students and help close the achievement gap between them and their peers.

Pupil Premium funding is allocated to schools based on the following criteria:

• Students eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).
• Students who have been registered for FSM at any point in the past six years (Ever 6).
• Students who are looked after in care.
• Children of service personnel.

As stated on the Department for Education (DfE) website:
"It is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium, allocated to schools per FSM pupil, is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility."

At The Ilfracombe Academy, we are committed to removing barriers to learning and creating opportunities that enable every student to achieve their full potential and live life in all its fullness.

Applying for Free School Meals

If you feel you could be eligible for Free School Meals, it is very simple to apply and takes only moments to do. Simply telephone Devon County Council on 0345 155 1019 and give your National Insurance number and your child’s date of birth. You will be told immediately if you are eligible and the next steps in the process.

Alternatively, please use this link to apply for Free School Meals. Citizen Portal - Sign in (devon.gov.uk)

This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision.

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also 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)

• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

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