Did you know that parents can apply for Pupil Premium?
In light of growing financial pressure on schools and yourselves, we would like to make you aware of ways you can support your child further. Additional financial support may come in the form of food vouchers for holiday periods and holiday activity vouchers. It also supports St Mary’s, by providing additional funding to support your child within school, including ensuring that they have access to school meals/pupil premium funding for targeted support and enhancements. However, parents have to apply directly to the government in order for the school to gain this funding.
All children in EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a free meal at lunchtime, under the government's Infant Free School Meals Scheme. However your child could be entitled to more if you apply for pupil premium funding.
If your child is in a EYFS, Key Stage 1 or Key Stage 2 year group and you get one of the qualifying incomes shown below it will help the school if you make a claim for free school meals, as they can get extra funding. From Year 3 onwards free school meals are only available if you get one of the following:
Your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium if you receive any of the following:
- Universal Credit - and your earned income is less than £7,400 a year, after tax and not including any benefits
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit, providing you do not get Working Tax Credit, and your annual gross income is less than £16,190
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
If you get Working Tax Credits you will not be eligible unless you are receiving the four week 'run on' payment after stopping work.
Free school meals are available for pupils at local authority maintained primary schools like St Mary’s. They are also available for eligible households with:
Children at local authority maintained nurseries, providing they receive education before and after lunch like St Mary’s Nursery as they are younger than the compulsory age for starting school
If your income changes
- If you get free school meals and your income increases above the qualifying limits your children will still get free meals until at least 31 March 2025.
- If they are still at school on 31 March 2025, free school meals will continue until the end of year 6 if they are at primary school, or the end of year 11 if they are at secondary school.
- This protection only covers children included in the original claim. Any younger siblings who start school after your income exceeds the thresholds will not get free school meals.
How to apply:
If you are unsure there is no harm in applying. Please use the link to the form below to apply if you live:
- In Bury Council's area and your child attends a school either in or outside the borough
- In Manchester Council's area and your child attends a school in Bury
You will need yours and your partner's National Insurance numbers or National Asylum Support Service numbers.
When you apply, they will check with the Department for Work and Pensions or HM Revenues and Customs that you are receiving a qualifying income. If they confirm you are eligible, they will let your child's school know. If they cannot confirm your income they will ask you provide proof of it to them. There is no need to reclaim free school meals every year.
If you need help applying or want access to a computer please pop into the office and speak to Mrs Beck or Mrs Holding and we can support you.
Nursery (pre-school)
EYPP is additional funding for early years settings (Nursery) to improve the education they provide for 3 and 4 year olds whose parents are in receipt of qualifying benefits, have look after or previously been looked after children.
Previously Looked After
Any child who has previously been looked after by a local authority is entitled to Post LAC funding of £2570 to improve a child's education.