Pupil Premium
The Pupil Premium is additional money paid to the school for pupils who have been registered for Free School Meals (FSM) at any point in the last six years, looked after by the Local Authority or have been adopted from care. The school receives this money to support these pupils and close the attainment gap between them and their peers.
Bedonwells, Staff and Governors are committed to meeting the pastoral, social and academic needs of all pupils within a caring environment.
We have high expectations and ambitions for our children and believe that every child can succeed. Therefore, we are determined to ensure that our children are given every chance to realise their full potential. Pupil Premium funding represents an important proportion of our budget and this policy outlines how we will ensure it is spent to maximum effect.
All members of staff and the governing body accept responsibility for vulnerable pupils and are committed to meeting their pastoral, social and academic needs within a caring and nurturing environment. We hope that every child will develop a love for learning and acquire skills and abilities commensurate with fulfilling their potential and as an adult finding employment.
Our principles:
- Every child with his/her individual needs and gifts is unique and special.
- All members of staff, governors and teaching assistants accept responsibility for ‘socially disadvantaged’ pupils and are committed to meeting their pastoral, social and academic needs within a caring environment.
- As with every child in our care, a child who is considered to be ‘socially disadvantaged’ is valued, respected and entitled to develop to his/her full potential, irrespective of need.
If you feel that you might be entitled, and do not currently claim please speak to Mrs Foster, School Business Manager. All enquiries are dealt with in the strictest of confidence.
Children are eligible for free school meals if their parents receive one of the benefits listed below. We would encourage you to apply if you think you may qualify.
Parents do not have to pay for school lunches if they receive any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190
- Working Tax Credit 'run-on' - the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Children who receive any of the qualifying benefits listed above in their own right are also eligible to receive free school meals.
Applying for assistance
The application form for free school meals is available as a PDF on the Bexley council website. Paper forms are available from the school office. You do not have to provide evidence of your income to support your claim, as the Council will check all details through the Department for Education's Free School Meals Eligibility Checking System.
Claims will normally be processed within 10 working days of the form being received, although it may take longer during busy periods at the start of the school year.
You must inform the Council immediately if you change address, stop receiving any of the qualifying support payment/benefits or about any other circumstance that might affect entitlement to free school lunches. If you do not, you may be liable to repay the cost of any lunches taken by your children.
Please use the link below to access this information on the Bexley council website:
https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/education/free-school-meals