Pupil Premium Funding at Sissinghurst School 

At Sissinghurst School, we are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the support and opportunities needed to reach their full potential. We believe that all pupils should achieve highly, and we use Pupil Premium funding strategically to close attainment gaps, provide targeted interventions, and support pupils' wellbeing. 

Pupil Premium funding is allocated to schools to help address underachievement and improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils—whether due to financial hardship or personal circumstances. National data shows that disadvantaged pupils are more likely to underachieve compared to their peers, and our goal is to break this cycle by providing high-quality teaching, personalised support, and additional resources to remove barriers to learning. Our vision is to illuminate the potential of every Pupil Premium child and their family, providing the support, opportunities, and exceptional education they need to thrive and achieve lasting success.  

This webpage outlines how we allocate and use Pupil Premium funding to ensure that disadvantaged pupils achieve at least in line with their peers, both within our school and nationally. 

Who Qualifies for Pupil Premium? 

Children are eligible for Pupil Premium if they: 

• Qualify for Free School Meals (FSM) due to family income. 
• Have been eligible for FSM at any point in the past six years. 
• Are or have been in local authority care (Looked After Children). 
• Have a parent serving or who has previously served in the armed forces. 

To qualify for Free School Meals, families must receive one of the following benefits: 

• Universal Credit (net income of £7,400 or less) Income Support 
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance 
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance 
• Support under Part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit 
• Child Tax Credit (if not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and with an annual gross income of £16,190 or less) 

How to Ensure Your Child Receives Pupil Premium 

Schools are responsible for identifying and recording eligible pupils through the annual school census. Parents do not need to apply directly, but it is important to return any paperwork related to benefits or Free School Meal entitlement to ensure funding is allocated correctly. 

Even if your child is in Reception, Year 1, or Year 2 and already receives universal infant free school meals, or if they bring a packed lunch, you should still inform the school if they are eligible. This ensures that they receive additional support through Pupil Premium funding. 

Our Commitment to Pupil Premium Pupils 

At Sissinghurst, our vision is for Pupil Premium (PP) pupils to achieve beyond the national average by the end of Year 6. We are dedicated to: 

• Closing the attainment gap – ensuring PP pupils achieve at least the expected standard, in line with their non-disadvantaged peers. 
• Providing academic and pastoral support – using targeted interventions and high-quality teaching to remove barriers to learning. 
• Supporting wellbeing – through our Family Liaison Officer (FLO), Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA), and Pupil Premium Champion. 
• Enhancing opportunities – offering enrichment activities, trips, and resources to ensure all pupils access a broad and balanced curriculum. 

For more details on how we allocate and track the impact of our Pupil Premium funding, please refer to our Pupil Premium Strategy Report below.

How to Apply

Checking your eligibility and applying is quick and easy! You can apply online at

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals

Your eligibility will be checked straight away and if successful, your school will be notified and your child should start receiving their free school meals within 24 hours.

Alternatively, visit the school office, where our staff will be happy to assist you.

If you have any questions or need support completing the application, please contact the office or our FLO (Mrs Ridgway) at office@sissinghurst.kent.sch.uk