The New Forest CofE Primary School & Nursery

Pupil Premium at The New Forest School 

At The New Forest Primary School, we are committed to ensuring all our children make the best possible progress with teaching and learning opportunities meeting the needs of all of our pupils.

We ensure that appropriate provision is made for pupils who belong to vulnerable groups so that no group of children are disadvantaged due to their gender, ethnic origin or family income or background. We recognise that common barriers for these groups of vulnerable children can be less support at home, weak language and communication skills, lack of confidence, more frequent behavioural difficulties, and attendance and punctuality issues. There may also be complex family situations that prevent children from flourishing. The challenges are varied and there is no single solution.

Our key objective in using the Pupil Premium Grant is to narrow the gap between pupil groups. At The New Forest School we analyse our pupil progress data regularly and thoroughly. 

Parental support and involvement is a key factor in raising standards. If you would like help or advice with supporting your child, please contact the us.

Designated teacher responsible for Pupil Premium,  Looked After Children (LAC) and Post Looked After Children (PLAC) children - Caroline Whittaker head@thenewforestschool.wilts.sch.uk 

Important Documents

Pupil Premium Strategy 2023.24

Pupil Premium Strategy 2022.23

Pupil Premium Guidance Document

Pupil Premium is allocated to schools based on the number of children who are currently known to be have been registered for free school meals within the past six year. Children who have been looked after in local authority care continuously for more than 6 months also receive the Looked After Child (LAC) Pupil Premium Grant. Children who have been adopted from being in local authority care also receive this Post-LAC Pupil Premium grant.

A Service Pupil Premium is awarded to children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces or wo have previous been registered for Service Pupil Premium within the past 4 years. This service premium is designed to address the emotional and social well-being of these pupils.

The pupil premium is paid to schools across the financial year rather than the academic year.

The purpose of the Pupil Premium is to help schools to provide targeted support for vulnerable children – not necessarily just children who qualify for FSM.

Individual schools are able to decide how their allocated Pupil Premium, (allocated to schools per eligible pupil) is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual vulnerable pupils within their responsibility.

The funding is therefore given to schools to spend in ways which they believe will have the greatest impact for their particular pupils. There is a requirement to publish online how this money is spent. 

How to know if your child is eligible

Families who receive certain benefits may be eligible for Pupil Premium funding. By applying for Free School Meals (whether your child decides to have them or not), school will receive £1,385 per year additional funding in the form of Pupil Premium for your child. This is an invaluable source of income to school in times when budgets are being drastically reduced.

If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, you must still apply online for school to receive the Pupil Premium funding, even though your child receives Universal Free School Meals.

Last year, our Pupil Premium funding meant that we could employ additional adults to support children’s learning and social/emotional needs. We can also provide your child with a FREE jumper, book bag and PE top when you join the school.

If you are in receipt of one of the following benefits, please complete the slip below and we will support you with your application:

  • Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Support under Part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • The guarantee element of Pension Credit
  • Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for the four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
  • Child Tax Credit (with no Working Tax Credit) with an annual income of no more than £16,190

To  find out more, please visit https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/1669/Free-school-meals or apply online https://parentportal.wiltshire.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/home