Pupil Premium and Pupil Premium Plus

What is Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium is additional funding provided to schools in England to help improve the educational outcomes of disadvantaged pupils. The funding is intended to reduce the attainment gap between eligible pupils and their peers. Schools receive funding for children who are eligible for free school meals, have been eligible for free school meals within the last six years, are looked-after children, previously looked-after children, or have parents serving in the armed forces.

How We Use Pupil Premium and Pupil Premium Plus Funding

At Hillcrest Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to high-quality education and opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Our Pupil Premium funding is used to provide:

High-Quality Teaching

We prioritise high-quality teaching and a broad, balanced curriculum that meets the diverse needs of our pupils. This includes investing in professional development for staff, ensuring teaching remains inclusive, evidence-informed and responsive to the needs of all learners. This forms part of Hillcrest's Core Offer.

Targeted Support

We provide additional academic support through targeted interventions, small-group work and individual programmes designed to address specific barriers to learning. This may include support for language development, literacy, numeracy, communication, and social and emotional development.

Enrichment Opportunities

We ensure that pupils can access a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including sports, arts, music, educational visits and cultural experiences. These opportunities help to develop confidence, wellbeing, social skills and a sense of belonging within the school community.

Universal Infant Free School Meals

All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to free school meals through the Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) scheme.

Even if your child already receives these meals, it is important that families who receive qualifying benefits register their eligibility. This enables the school to receive additional Pupil Premium funding, which can be used to provide extra support, resources and opportunities for eligible pupils.

Additional Support Available

Children who are eligible for Pupil Premium may also benefit from:

• Financial support towards educational visits and residential trips.
• Reduced costs for selected extracurricular activities and curriculum enrichment opportunities.
• Support with the cost of school uniform.
• Additional resources and targeted interventions to support learning and wellbeing.

Are You Eligible?

Everyone who starts at Hillcrest Primary School is asked to complete and sign a form which allows the school to check eligibility for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium funding.

You may be eligible if you receive any of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit.
• Income Support.
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA).
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit.
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and your annual income does not exceed £16,190).
• Working Tax Credit run-on, paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

How to Check Your Eligibility

If you think you may be eligible for Free School Meals and Pupil Premium funding, please contact the school office. We will be happy to support you with the application process and answer any questions you may have.  You can also check whether you are eligible and apply online through the government website:

Registering your eligibility helps us secure additional funding to support your child's education and wider school experience.