Pupil Premium

Pupil Premium is additional funding provided to schools to support pupils who may be vulnerable to underachievement and to help close gaps in educational outcomes.

Pupil Premium funding is allocated to schools for:

• pupils who are eligible for Targeted Free School Meals (FSM)
• pupils in local authority care
• pupils from a military family

This funding helps us support pupils' education and wellbeing and provide additional resources, opportunities and support. Funding for Free School Meal pupils is only paid when you apply for FSM and your child is confirmed as eligible for Targeted Free School Meals.

At Nether Green Infant School, we decide how our Pupil Premium funding is spent and use it to support pupils in reaching their potential, both academically and socially.

Click here to read our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2024–2027

Free School Meals

t is important to understand that Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) and Free School Meals (FSM) are separate schemes.

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically receive a free school meal through UIFSM, regardless of family income..

Children in Preschool, Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 may be eligible for benefits based  FSM if their family meets the relevant criteria.

If your child already receives a free meal through UIFSM, you still need to make a separate application for FSM if you think your family may be eligible.

Who may be eligible?

From September 2026, there are two categories of benefits-based Free School Meals:

Targeted Free School Meals – with Pupil Premium funding

Your child may be eligible if your family receives:

• Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• support as a family with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

Expanded Free School Meals – meals only

Families receiving Universal Credit with annual household earnings above £7,400 may also be eligible for Free School Meals.

Expanded Free School Meals provide a free school meal but do not attract Pupil Premium funding for the school.

What could my child receive?

For children eligible for Targeted Free School Meals, the school may receive additional Pupil Premium funding. Your child may also be eligible for additional support, which could include:

• financial support towards school uniform
• financial support for educational trips, visits and workshops
• financial support for extra-curricular clubs
• additional support for learning and wellbeing
• free school milk

How to apply

If your child is not currently receiving benefits-based Free School Meals and you think your family may be eligible, you can apply online through Sheffield City Council.

You can also:

• ask the school office to apply on your behalf, or
• contact Sheffield City Council's Free School Meals team on 0114 273 4567 (option 4, then option 3).

If your child is already confirmed as eligible for Targeted Free School Meals, you do not need to make another application or request a recheck. Sheffield City Council will contact families if any action is needed.

Remember

UIFSM and benefits-based FSM are separate schemes.

Your child may already receive a free school meal through UIFSM because they are in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, but your family may still be eligible for benefits-based Free School Meals and the additional support and funding that comes with this.

This applies regardless of your child's year group, including Preschool.

If you are unsure whether your child is eligible, please contact the school office and we will be happy to help.