The pupil premium is additional funding for publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities and to close the gaps between them and their peers. The grant is paid directly to schools in addition to standard funding. The amount received by a school is calculated from the number of pupils who are eligible in the following categories:
Entitlement to Free School Meals (at any time in the last 6 years)
Children who have ever been in the care of the Local Authority
Children of active Service personnel.

Schools decide how to spend the money, as they are best placed to identify those at risk of underachievement and assess what additional provision should be made for all pupils. It is recognised that not all disadvantaged pupils will necessarily qualify for the premium and that not all those who qualify are necessarily in need of additional provision. The governing body monitors the use and impact of its Pupil Premium Funding. Schools are also required to report online how the funding has been used and the impact of the additional provision on the achievement of pupils covered by the Pupil Premium.