The Pupil Premium is allocated to children from low-income families who are currently known to be eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) in both mainstream and non-mainstream settings and children who have been looked after continuously for more than six months. The Government has decided that eligibility for the Pupil Premium will now be extended to pupils who have been eligible for free school meals (FSM) at any point in the last 6 years. Schools receive this funding to support their eligible pupils and narrow the attainment gap between them and their peers; ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most.

Pupil Premium is allocated to pupils based on where they are registered at the time of the January school census. As a result of dual registration, the funding for some of those pupils who are eligible for allocation of the Pupil Premium, goes to the mainstream school, even where the pupil does not attend that provision. Most pupils at STARS are dual registered because, as a PRU, the intention is for pupils to return to their mainstream/another school as soon as possible. However in practice many pupils remain at STARS for a significant length of time and STARS therefore takes responsibility for "narrowing the gap" for that pupil.

Principles:

• We ensure that teaching and learning opportunities meet the needs of all of the pupils.
• We ensure that appropriate provision is made for all pupils including those who belong to vulnerable groups.
• In making provision for socially disadvantaged pupils, we recognise that not all pupils who receive free school meals will be socially disadvantaged.
• We also recognise that not all pupils who are socially disadvantaged are registered or qualify for free school meals.
• We will allocate the Pupil Premium funding to support any pupil or groups of pupils the service has legitimately identified as being socially disadvantaged.

Is your child entitled to additional funding?

All schools receive additional funding, Pupil Premium, to support pupils who have been on free school meals at any time in the last 6 years, currently £935 per pupil for 2018/2019.

Please apply via this link to check if you are eligible so STARS can receive this additional funding for your child.

When checking the participating school list STARS is registered as Sutton Tuition & Reintegration Service.

https://www.sutton.gov.uk/info/200521/benefits/1288/free_school_meals_and_pupil_premium/1