Pupil Premium
What is the Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium is extra funding from the government to help schools support children from disadvantaged backgrounds. It helps close any gaps in their learning and wellbeing. At Woore Primary and Nursery School we use it so that every child gets the best possible start, whatever their circumstances.
Who is eligible?
The school receives Pupil Premium funding for children who:
- qualify for targeted free school meals (explained below), or have done at any point in the last six years
- are looked after by the local authority, or were previously looked after (including children adopted from care, or who left care under a special guardianship or child arrangements order)
- have a parent serving in the armed forces, or have been registered as a service child in the last six years (Service Pupil Premium)
How much funding is it?
For 2026–27, the school receives:
- £1,550 for each primary-aged child eligible for targeted free school meals
- £2,690 for each child who is or was looked after
- £360 for each service child
Free school meals: what's changed from September 2026
From this school year, every family receiving Universal Credit can get free school meals. There are now two types:
- Targeted free school meals are for families on Universal Credit with household earnings of £7,400 a year or less (after tax, not including benefits), or who receive certain other benefits. Your child gets free meals, and the school receives Pupil Premium funding to support them. Your child may also get help through the Holiday Activities and Food Programme.
- Expanded free school meals are for families on Universal Credit who earn above the £7,400 threshold. Your child gets free meals, but the school does not receive Pupil Premium funding.
Children who qualified for free school meals before September 2026 still count for Pupil Premium for six years, even if your circumstances have changed since then.
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2
All infant children already get a free school lunch, whatever your income. Even so, please still apply if you receive Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits. Applying is the only way the school can find out whether your child qualifies for Pupil Premium. We could be missing out on £1,550 a year of support for your child. Your child will also keep their free meals automatically when they move into Year 3.
How to apply
You apply through Shropshire Council: Free School Meals application-Shropshire. It only takes a few minutes, and eligibility is checked again every year. If you'd like help with the form, please speak to Mrs Shapiro-Day or Mrs James in the school office. We're always happy to help, and everything is kept confidential.
Early Years Pupil Premium (Nursery)
Children in our nursery may qualify for the Early Years Pupil Premium. This applies if your family receives certain benefits, or if your child is or was looked after. Please ask the nursery team or the office if you think your child may qualify.
How do we use it?
We spend our Pupil Premium where research shows it makes the biggest difference. This includes:
- high-quality teaching in every class, with a strong focus on early reading, phonics, language and number
- extra support such as small-group and one-to-one help, interventions and catch-up
- wider support for wellbeing, attendance, and access to trips, clubs, music and enrichment, so every child has the full school experience
Each year we publish a Pupil Premium Strategy Statement. It explains how we spend the funding and the difference it makes. Our Trustees and Governing Committee check our progress regularly. Read our current statement on the link below. Â
Questions?
If you think your child may be eligible, or you'd like to know more, please contact the school office.
