Pupil Premium
Pupils Premium funding
Pupil Premium
What is Pupil Premium?
Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to schools to help improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
The funding is primarily allocated for pupils who are eligible for Targeted Free School Meals, or who have been recorded as eligible during the previous six years. Additional funding is also provided for children who are looked after by a local authority or who have previously been in care.
Our approach at Barham
At Barham Church of England Primary School, we know, nurture and value every child. We recognise that disadvantage can affect children in different ways and that no two pupils have exactly the same strengths, experiences or needs.
We use Pupil Premium funding carefully to help eligible pupils:
* make strong academic progress;
* develop secure reading, writing and mathematical knowledge;
* attend school regularly;
* build confidence, independence and positive attitudes to learning;
* access pastoral or emotional support when needed; and
* participate fully in the wider life of the school, including trips, clubs, sport, music and other enrichment opportunities.
Support is planned according to the needs of individual pupils. It may include high-quality classroom teaching, targeted academic support, pastoral provision and help to overcome barriers to participation.
We regularly review pupils’ progress and evaluate the impact of the support provided. Pupil Premium funding is used alongside our wider work to ensure that every child has the opportunity to flourish and grow as a kind, confident and curious individual.
Changes to Free School Meals from September 2026
From September 2026, eligibility for benefits-related Free School Meals is being expanded. There will be two categories: Targeted Free School Meals and Expanded Free School Meals.
Targeted Free School Meals
A child may be eligible for Targeted Free School Meals if their parent or carer receives Universal Credit and their annual household earnings are £7,400 or less, excluding benefits.
Some families receiving other qualifying support may also be eligible. This includes certain families receiving:
* income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
* support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
* the guarantee element of Pension Credit; or
* support under the qualifying arrangements for families with no recourse to public funds.
Children eligible for Targeted Free School Meals will receive a free school meal. Their school will also receive Pupil Premium and other disadvantage funding to support their education.
Eligibility for some additional support, including the Holiday Activities and Food Programme and reduced-cost school travel, may also be linked to Targeted Free School Meals.
Expanded Free School Meals
From September 2026, children from all households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to a free school meal, regardless of household earnings.
Where annual household earnings are above £7,400, the child will normally be eligible for Expanded Free School Meals.
Expanded Free School Meals provide the child with a free meal, but this category does not attract Pupil Premium or other disadvantage funding for the school.
Why families should apply
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 already receive a free school meal through the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme. However, families who may meet the Targeted Free School Meals criteria should still apply.
A successful Targeted Free School Meals application enables the school to receive additional Pupil Premium funding to support the child’s learning, wellbeing and access to wider opportunities.
We also encourage families receiving Universal Credit whose household earnings are above £7,400 to apply so that their child can receive Expanded Free School Meals from September 2026.
Eligibility will be checked and confirmed by Kent County Council. Families can apply online here:
Apply for Free School Meals – Kent County Council
Please contact the school office if you would like confidential help with an application.
Pupil Premium Strategy Statement
Our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement explains:
* the challenges faced by eligible pupils at Barham;
* how our funding is being used;
* the evidence that informs our decisions; and
* how we evaluate the impact of our provision.
Our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement for the 2025–26 academic year is currently being finalised and will be published on this page.
The previous strategy statement is available below for reference:
Barham Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2024–25
Free 11+ Preparation and KS2 learning support
Free Key Stage 2 Learning Support
Barham Church of England Primary School has partnered with Atom Learning to provide free online Key Stage 2 learning and 11+ preparation for eligible pupils.