Images protected by Greenhouse School Websites

St Mary's CE Primary School

St Mary's CE Primary School
Love Learning. Love Each Other.

Documents

 

Pupil Premium

Please click the link to check if you are entitled

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 are entitled to pupil premium funding.

 

Your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium:

The Government has confirmed that transitional protection for Free School Meals (FSM) end at the close of the 2025–2026 school year. This means that from September 2026, all families will need to meet the current eligibility rules to continue receiving FSM.

What is changing?

Until now, transitional protection has allowed children to continue receiving FSM without rechecking eligibility. This protection ended in July 2026.

From September 2026, FSM eligibility will be based on two categories:

Targeted Free School Meals

Pupil Premium funding for their school

Access to the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme

Your household receives Universal Credit, and

Your annual earnings are £7,400 or less (excluding benefits)Other support linked to FSM eligibility

Your child will qualify if:

Children eligible for Targeted FSM will also receive:

Expanded Free School Meals

Your child will qualify if:

  • Your household receives Universal Credit, and
  • Your annual earnings are above £7,400

Children eligible for Expanded FSM will:

  • Receive a free school meal
  • Not qualify for Pupil Premium
  • Not qualify for the HAF programme
  • Not automatically qualify for other benefits linked to Targeted FSM

If your child currently receives FSM you do not need to take any action right now. The Local Authority will check your eligibility and confirm whether your child will continue to receive FSM from September 2026.

How to apply for Free School Meals

Please apply using the online form if you live:

  • In Bury Council’s area and your child attends a school either in or outside Bury
  • In Manchester Council’s area and your child attends a school in Bury

You will need:

  • Your National Insurance number (and your partner’s, if applicable), or
  • Your National Asylum Support Service (NASS) number
Free school meals application:

When you apply, the Local Authority will check your income with the Department for Work and Pensions or HMRC. If you qualify, your child’s school will be informed. If your income cannot be confirmed automatically, you may be asked to provide evidence.

Changes you must tell us about

Please complete the FSM change form if:

  • You move house
  • Your child changes school
  • You stop receiving Universal Credit, JSA, Income Support, or Pension Credit

Only complete this form if you have previously submitted an FSM application and your circumstances have changed.

Click here to complete the FSM change form or apply for FSM

Need help?

If you are unsure which category applies to you, or you need support completing an application, please contact the school office and speak to Mrs Beck or Mrs Holding. We are here to help ensure every eligible family receives the correct support.

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.

Please click the link to check

 

The Government provides additional funding to schools to assist in closing the gap in attainment between pupils from different schools and backgrounds. The funding each year is based on an amount allocated per pupil on targeted free school meals.

It is a requirement that schools inform all stakeholders of how the money has been spent. Pupil Premium is a source of revenue that comes from the Government and is based, primarily, on the number of children who are eligible for free school meals. As a result of this, schools can receive very different amounts of money into their budget.