Free School Meal Funding
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, the Department for Education (DfE) is delivering an expansion to Free School Meal eligibility to include all pupils from households in receipt of Universal Credit. There will then be 2 categories of FSM:
- Targeted FSM, which continues to be based on the existing £7,400 income threshold and includes Pupil Premium
- Expanded FSM, which will apply to meals only, covering pupils who do not qualify for Targeted FSM, but who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit - no income threshold
Pupil Premium Funding
The Pupil Premium grant, which is additional to main school funding, is seen by the government as the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their peers, by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most. ‘Looked After Children’ and service children are also eligible for this funding.
Schools can decide how the Pupil Premium is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils, within their responsibility.
At Brigstock we are committed to supporting all pupils to excel and our Pupil Premium Strategy is key in ensuring that we provide the best possible experience for children who might be disadvantaged in order that they might embrace Jesus’ promise that He came to give ‘Life in all its fullness’. John 10:10
Pupils are eligible for pupil premium if their families are in receipt of:
- Universal Credit (annual net income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)
- Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying)
If you think that your child may be eligible for pupil premium funding / free school meals, even if you do not want your child to eat school meals, please apply on North Northamptonshire Council’s website.
Every child who is registered as eligible for pupil premium generates valuable income for the school and this eligibility will help you access financial assistance with school costs such as trips, clubs and music tuition.
If you have any queries regarding pupil premium, please contact Mrs Sadler.
Our Pupil Premium strategy is a 3 year strategy which outlines how we plan to spend our funding to best support children to ensure that every child is able to excel.
