At Norman Street Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances. Every Normie deserves the chance to be Kind, Brave and Fair – and to have those same chances as their peers. That’s why we are proud to use Pupil Premium funding to support our most disadvantaged pupils and help them thrive.
The Pupil Premium is additional funding provided by the government to schools in England to help raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers. At Norman Street, approximately 25% of our children are eligible for this funding, which is below the national average. It is our responsibility to ensure that this money is used effectively, in line with the Department for Education’s guidance, to support the education and wellbeing of these pupils.
The DfE asks schools to spend Pupil Premium funding on evidence-informed activity from its ‘menu of approaches’, balanced across three areas recommended by the Education Endowment Foundation: high-quality teaching, targeted academic support, and wider strategies such as attendance and wellbeing. High-quality teaching is recommended as the top priority, because it benefits every child in the classroom, not just those eligible for the funding.
Pupil Premium is allocated to pupils from the Reception Year up to Year 11 who are registered for Targeted Free School Meals (FSM), or who have been registered at any point in the last six years (known as ‘Ever 6’). It is also allocated to adopted children and children who have been in care continuously for six months or more (known as ‘looked after’ children).
From September 2026, free school meal eligibility has two categories:
Children may also be eligible for free school meals if their parents or carers receive one of the following benefits:
Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 continue to receive a free meal at lunchtime regardless of household income or benefits, as part of Universal Infant Free School Meals.
If you are a resident in Cumbria, you can check your eligibility and apply by clicking the button below:
The Service Premium is for pupils with a parent currently serving in the armed forces and supporting their family, pupils who have a parent who died in action, and those pupils whose parents have left the service since April 2011 for other reasons, including injury. To be eligible, the parent must be supporting their family, so where they are separated or divorced a pupil will not be eligible.
At Norman Street, we are committed to using the Pupil Premium funding to make a real difference in the lives of our disadvantaged pupils. We have carefully considered how to allocate this money to have the greatest impact, always guided by evidence of what works and by our motto, Kind. Brave. Fair. That’s the Normie Way.
In line with DfE and EEF guidance, we prioritise our spending across three areas:
We also employ a dedicated Pupil Premium Champion to coordinate and oversee the use of this funding, ensuring it is having a measurable impact on our pupils’ progress and wellbeing.
Closing the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers is at the centre of everything we do with this funding. By investing in high-quality teaching and evidence-based support, we are not only helping to close gaps in attainment, but also nurturing the sense of belonging, resilience and self-belief that every Normie needs to succeed – because every child at Norman Street deserves the chance to be Kind, Brave and Fair, whatever their starting point.
We are committed to being accountable and transparent in our use of Pupil Premium funding. Each year, in line with DfE requirements, we publish an updated Pupil Premium strategy statement on our school website by 31 December, outlining how the money has been spent and the impact it has had on our disadvantaged pupils. We also welcome the scrutiny of Ofsted inspections, which look closely at the achievement of pupils eligible for the Pupil Premium as part of their assessment of our school.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about how the Pupil Premium is being used at Norman Street Primary School, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We are here to support all our pupils and their families, and we are proud to be making a difference through the effective use of this important funding – always, Kind, Brave and Fair.
