Free School Meals (FSM)

The DfE has implemented a series of changes to the entitlement of Free School Meals (FSM) which is effective from September 2026.  While Universal FSM will remain in place, the government has broadened the eligibility criteria for FSM, enabling more families to qualify for their children.

Universal Free School Meals (FSM)

Free school meals are funded by the UK government for children in England who attend a state school, free school or academy. All children in reception, year 1 and year 2 are entitled to free school meals at Waddesdon Village Primary School.

Targeted Free School Meals (FSM)

Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less, will be eligible for targeted FSM. In addition to receiving free meals, pupils eligible for targeted FSM will attract pupil premium and other disadvantage funding for their schools.

Expanded Free School Meals (FSM)

Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400 will be entitled to expanded FSM (meals only).

Families eligibility for free meals will be kept under regular review through annual rechecks. 

Pupil Premium Funding

Introduced in 2011, The Pupil Premium is a sum of money given to schools each year by the Government to provide additional support for those eligible as outlined below;

• Children who have qualified for targeted free school meals from 2026-2027
• Children who have qualified for FSM in the last 6 years prior to 2026-2027
• Children who are or have been looked after under local authority care for more than one day.
• Children from service families who receive a child pension from the Ministry of Defence

Pupil premium is funding to improve education outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in schools in England and also includes some recovery funding. Evidence shows that disadvantaged children generally face additional challenges in reaching their potential at school and often do not perform as well as other pupils. Pupil Premium funding is not allocated based on academic ability and evidence shows that academically able pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are at just as much risk of under-performing than pupils who are at a lower ability. Here at Waddesdon Primary we ensure that Pupil Premium funding benefits all pupils who are eligible and that the funding supports pupils to reach their full potential. 

At Waddesdon Village Primary School, we use an evidence-based tiered approach to spending Pupil Premium funding, which research has shown has the most impact on pupils learning.

1. Teaching

Investing in high-quality teaching and learning across the school.

2. Targeted academic support

Additional support for identified pupils to focus on their specific needs.

3. Wider approaches

Support for other issues that can cause barriers to pupils' success in school, such as: attendance, learning behaviours, social and emotional well-being, growth mind-set and the ability to access extracurricular opportunities in-line with their peers.

Applying for Pupil Premium Funding 

County Pupil Premium information and application forms are sent to all new families to the school so that they are aware of the funding and that it may directly benefit their child as well as impacting on our school provision and the quality of teaching and learning.

As a school, we are fully committed to using the funding entrusted to us to maximise opportunities for all pupils who are eligible. From September 2026, families who qualify for Targeted Free School Meals (FSM) will automatically attract Pupil Premium (PP) funding for their child. If you think your child may be eligible for Targeted Free School Meals/ Pupil Premium, please speak to the School Office and they will be more than happy to guide you through the process.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please come and see us in complete confidence. It is important to us that everyone receives their full entitlement.

Each year schools are required to publish their Pupil Premium Strategy which details how the funding is planned to be spent and the desired outcomes.  Please find our 3-year Pupil Premium strategy below, which will be reviewed regularly.