The Pupil Premium was introduced in April 2011. It was allocated to children from low income families who were eligible for free school meals and children who had been looked after continuously for more than six months.
Eligibility for Pupil Premium for 2012-13 was extended to pupils who have been eligible for free school meals at any point in the last 6 years (known as the Ever6 Free School’s Meals measure) in addition to the children who have been looked after continuously for more than six months, and a smaller amount for the children of service personnel.
Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit. However, they are accountable for how they use the additional funding if there is a gap in progress and attainment between those that have the premium and those that do not.