Pupil Premium
What is Pupil Premium Funding?
At Crowton Christ Church C.E. Primary School, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We recognise that some children may need additional academic, pastoral, social or emotional support at different points during their school journey.
Pupil Premium is additional funding provided by the Department for Education to support schools in improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
At Crowton, we use our Pupil Premium funding as part of our wider approach to supporting pupils. Depending on individual needs, this may include additional academic support, targeted interventions, enrichment opportunities, educational experiences, pastoral support and support for wellbeing.
As a small school, we consider the needs of individual pupils and groups carefully and use our funding where it will have the greatest impact.
Who is eligible for Pupil Premium?
For 2026/27, Pupil Premium funding linked to Free School Meals is based on pupils who are eligible for Targeted Free School Meals (Targeted FSM) or who have been eligible for Targeted FSM within the previous six years – known as the Ever 6 FSM cohort.
From September 2026, there are two categories of Free School Meals:
Targeted Free School Meals
Children are eligible for Targeted FSM if their household receives Universal Credit and has annual household earnings of £7,400 or less, subject to the relevant eligibility criteria.
Targeted FSM provides:
a free school meal
inclusion in the Ever 6 FSM cohort
eligibility that can attract Pupil Premium funding for the school
access to other support linked to Targeted FSM, where applicable
Expanded Free School Meals
From September 2026, Free School Meals have been expanded to include children in households receiving Universal Credit whose annual household earnings are above £7,400.
Children eligible only through the new Expanded FSM category will receive a free school meal, but will not attract Pupil Premium funding or enter the Ever 6 FSM cohort because of their Expanded FSM eligibility.
What happens to children already in the Ever 6 group?
Children who were eligible for Free School Meals before the 2026/27 expansion will continue to be included in the Ever 6 FSM cohort for the remainder of their six-year period.
This remains the case even if their household income subsequently increases and they:
cease to qualify for FSM, or
become eligible for FSM through the Expanded FSM category.
Children who become eligible for the first time through Expanded FSM will not enter the Ever 6 cohort because of that new eligibility.
How is Pupil Premium used?
Pupil Premium is not a personal budget for an individual child. Schools decide how best to use the funding to support disadvantaged pupils and improve educational outcomes.
At Crowton, this may include support such as:
targeted academic interventions and additional teaching
support with learning and progress
enrichment and educational experiences
pastoral and emotional wellbeing support
support with attendance and engagement
other evidence-informed approaches identified by the school
We review the impact of our Pupil Premium strategy regularly and report on the use and impact of the funding through our annual Pupil Premium Strategy Statement.
How can I apply?
If you think your child may be eligible for Free School Meals, please apply even if your child is already receiving a free meal through another entitlement, such as Universal Infant Free School Meals.
Registering your eligibility can make a significant difference to the funding available to support children in school.
Applications are confidential. Apply for Free School Meals through Cheshire West and Chester Council - Cheshire West and Chester Website
If you are unsure whether your child is eligible, please contact the school and we will be happy to help.
Service Pupil Premium
Service Pupil Premium is separate from the main Pupil Premium. It provides additional funding to support eligible children from service families, with the primary purpose of providing pastoral support. Further information about Pupil Premium is available from the Department for Education:
Pupil Premium – GOV.UK
Free School Meals – Cheshire West and Chester Council
Every child at Crowton Christ Church C.E. Primary School is valued, respected and supported. We use available funding carefully alongside our wider school resources to help every pupil develop academically, socially and emotionally and to achieve their full potential.
