Pupil Premium and Service Premium Funding

Pupil Premium is additional funding provided by the Department for Education to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. Schools use this funding to help pupils achieve their full potential through high-quality teaching, targeted support and wider strategies that improve attendance, wellbeing and engagement.

Service Pupil Premium is additional funding provided to support the pastoral and academic needs of pupils with a parent serving in the regular armed forces, who have been recorded as a service child within the last six years, or who are in receipt of a pension under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or War Pensions Scheme. Please inform the school office if your child may be eligible.

Free School Meals

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are able to receive a free school meal (including packed lunch options) through the government's Universal Infant Free School Meal programme. Please speak to the school office if you would like more information. 

Free school meals for children in other year groups are also available to children whose parents qualify by meeting the criteria below. Children must be in school all day and they will be provided with a meal at lunchtime that is paid for by the school.

Do I qualify?

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

• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be £7,400 a year or less (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

• younger than the compulsory age for starting school
• in full-time education

From the start of academic year 2026 to 2027, your child will qualify for free school meals if you get Universal Credit, regardless of household income.

Eligibility criteria change from time to time, so please check the latest information through Somerset Council here. 

How do I apply?

Applications should normally be made online via Somerset Council's Free School Meals service - available here. School staff are happy to support families with the process if needed.

You do not need to send evidence with your application. If the council need evidence later, they will ask you for it.

If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the school office. We can provide a paper application form free of charge and support you with the application process.

Pupil Premium Strategy Statements

Our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement is reviewed annually and published on our website in line with Department for Education requirements.

The key challenges identified for our disadvantaged pupils are detailed within our published Pupil Premium Strategy Statement below.

Pupil Premium Statement 2026-2027 (With 2025-2026 Impact)