Court LaneJunior Academy
Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium
The Pupil Premium is additional funding for publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of pupils who are entitled to Targeted Free School Meals, are a Looked After Child (through adoption or foster care) or have a parent in the HM Services. It is for pupils of all abilities and to diminish the difference in achievement between them and their peers.
It is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium is spent and to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils.
Free Schools Meals and Pupil Premium Information
Currently, pupils in Years 1 and 2 as well as Reception children all receive free school meals, these are paid by government funding. This provision is called Universal Free School Meals or UFSM.
In addition to this funding, parents in lower-income families can also apply for Targeted Free School Meals so that the school will receive additional funding to support their child.
Please read on to find out how to check if you are eligible and if so, how to apply for this financial support.
Introduction
The Government is giving money to schools to help children from lower-income families do their very best. This funding is called a ‘Pupil Premium’.
If you qualify for Targeted Free School Meals, your child/children can receive free school meals and they will also qualify for Pupil Premium support. This may include support with the cost of trips and visits and free places on the Portsmouth HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) events in the school holidays. The additional funding also provides for additional staff to work with your child to support their learning, attendance and personal development.
For every child registered, Court Lane Infant and Junior School gets £1,350 this year. This additional funding allows us to provide an even better education for your child through the purchase of additional resources or staff to support learning.
Are you eligible?
From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit will be entitled to receive a free school meal.
Going forward, there will be 2 categories of benefits-based free school meals:
- Targeted FSM for pupils who are in households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less. These children will receive free school meals and pupil premium support.
- Expanded FSM, a new category covering pupils who do not qualify for targeted FSM, but who are in households receiving Universal Credit. These children will receive free school meals but will not be eligible for pupil premium support.
How to apply
Registering is really quick and easy – you can apply online at https://portsmouth.cloud.servelec-synergy.com/SynergyWeb/ and get an immediate answer. If you are eligible, your child’s school will be notified within 5 working days.
If you want your child to have a free, healthy meal at lunchtime that’s great – they will get the free meal, saving you more than £400 a year. If you are eligible, your child does not have take the free school meal each day and they can still bring a packed lunch if they wish.
If you have any problems with applying for this support, please call our school office on 02392 375444 or 02392 378890 for Infants.
No one will know you have registered and it will not affect any other benefits you are claiming.
Alternatively if you would like either of the Court Lane Schools to check on your behalf, please call in to either of the school’s offices. Note we will need parent’s name, parent’s date of birth and parent’s national insurance number.
Your help and co-operation is greatly appreciated.