Pupil Premium

As you may be aware, school budgets are being seriously affected by funding cuts, the rising costs of services, and by costs that have previously been covered by the Local Authority being passed onto schools. The budget at Thomas Jolyffe is also being affected by a reduction in the number of families who are registering for Pupil Premium funding.

Pupil Premium is extra funding that the school receives for each pupil who is registered and entitled to free school meals and we use this money to provide additional staffing and resources.

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

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum 1999

Other pupils who are entitled to this funding are pupils who have a parent in the forces, are in care or have been adopted from care.

We are asking all of our parents who have not already registered, but who think they may be eligible to do so by going to http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals or calling 01926 359189. If you provide them with your National Insurance Number they should be able to tell you immediately if you are successful. Even if your child does not wish to receive free school meals, the school can still receive the additional funding. Pupil Premium children at Thomas Jolyffe receive discounts on school trips and other benefits (details from the School Office).

Although parents of Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils already receive a free meal, we do not receive additional funding unless you have registered.

As an extra incentive we are offering a £30 AsdaHome voucher to each successful applicant (this does not apply to those who have been previously registered).

Please help us ensure we do not lose any further funding.

Free School Meals

If you receive any of the following benefits then your child may be eligible for Free School Meals:

• Income Support or Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance (but not Contribution-Based Job Seeker’s Allowance).
• The Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit.

• Child Tax Credit where the family’s annual income as assessed by HMRC is not in excess of £16,190.  Please note that families who are also entitled to Working Tax Credit do not qualify for Free School Meals.

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (but not Contribution-Based Employment and Support Allowance).

Many parents do not apply for Free School Meals because they do not realise they qualify. Other parents do not apply because they prefer to make alternative arrangements for their child’s lunch. Schools can still benefit though if a child is eligible for Free School Meals, even if they do not take up their entitlement.

If your child does not currently receive Free School Meals but you think that you might qualify then please do apply using one of the methods shown above. In this case, there really is such a thing as a free lunch!