At Hartford Infant and Preschool, we provide inclusive and aspirational opportunities for all children, regardless of their socio-economic background so that every child has an equal chance to succeed as a lifelong learner. Alongside parents, all staff and governors will support children in a nurturing and affectionate environment. This encourages children to be confident and curious individuals who can communicate effectively and meet their full potential academically, emotionally and socially. We promote an ‘I can’ attitude where the sky is the limit!
Pupil Premium is a sum of money given to schools each year by the Government, in addition to the main school funding, to improve the attainment of disadvantaged children. This is based on research showing that children from low income families perform less well at school than their peers. The pupil premium is intended to directly benefit the children who are eligible, helping to diminish the difference between them and their peers.
Students receive Pupil Premium if they are in receipt of Free School Meals or have qualified for free school meals at any point in the past six years, classed as Ever 6.
Although all pupils at Hartford Infant and Preschool are entitled to a free lunch, eligibility for Free School Meals and therefore Pupil Premium funding is based on the income of parents.
Your child may be eligible for free school meals if you receive any of the following benefits:- Income support, Income-based jobseekers’ allowance, Income-related employment and support allowance, Child tax credit, provided that you are not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of £16,190 or less, if you are supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, guarantee element of State Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit during the four-week period immediately after your employment finishes or after you start working fewer hours per week or Universal Credit with an annual net earned income of no more than £7400 (from 1st April 2018).
Parents can apply by completing the ‘Count Me In’ form [available on the left hand side of this page or from our school office], the office staff will be more than happy to support you with this. Alternatively you can apply online at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
The amount of money schools receive to support children eligible for the Pupil Premium has been steadily rising and the school now receives £1480 per eligible child for 2024-25.
Hartford Infant and Preschool also receives an enhanced premium for Looked After Children (those who have been in care or adopted) which is known as Pupil Premium Plus. Additionally, the Service Premium is a smaller fund available to assist the school to provide pastoral care to the children of armed forces personnel.
While we are free to spend the Pupil Premium as we see fit, we must be accountable for how we have used the additional funding to support pupils from low-income families.
At HIPS some of the Pupil Premium monies helps to fund clubs, trips and subsidise in-school experiences for children who have been eligible for recognised Free School Meals. We also fund a nuture group through this money, and ensure that all children have been given a named pupil premium champion within school. This ensures all children have the same opportunities and are not disadvantaged.
For more information on Free School Meals in Cambridgeshire please click here.
As with pupil premium, schools must use their recovery premium on evidence-based approaches to support pupils. A ‘menu of approaches’ has been developed to help schools to use both grants effectively.
Any activities funded by recovery premium (or pupil premium) must align with the ‘menu’. It can be found on page 7 of Using pupil premium: guidance for school leaders.
A review of the last academic years (2023-24) spending can be found at the end of this years Hartford Infant and Preschool Pupil Premium Strategy Statement.
Mrs Heather Wiltshire one of our dedicated teachers, has recently taken leadership of Pupil Premium. She has organised valuable training for all staff and will update Governors of new improved support for our children in receipt of PP monies, including the above Pupil Premium Ambition Statement.
Mrs Sian Fortt was elected as the governor with delegated responsibility for pupil premium, however the overall responsibility for Pupil Premium spending remains with the Full Governing Body.
Please use the links in the side panel of this page to find out how Pupil Premium has/is being spent in our school and the outcomes for our Pupil Premium children.
For further information on Pupil Premium please see the leaflet on the side panel of this page or alternatively click here.