Our school is fully committed to making sure every young person, no matter what socio-economic or family background they have, gets the education opportunities and outcomes they deserve. 

Meopham School uses well researched, evidence-based strategies that aim to improve the attainment of our disadvantaged pupils.  Based on Sutton Trust research and the school’s knowledge of its pupils, its community and what works best for our school, we place the following principles and strategies at the heart of all learning as we believe that they produce the best results for our pupils.

 

What is the 'Pupil Premium'?

The Pupil Premium is additional funding to help narrow the attainment gap between them and their non-disadvantaged peers. The funding is allocated to schools based on the number of:

• Students in receipt of free school meals at any point in the last 6 years (Ever 6 FSM)

• Looked After Children (LAC), adopted or special guardianship

• Students who have left care through adoption or another formal route such as a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangement Order

• Service children

This money is used to help disadvantaged pupils overcome any barriers to their learning and to ensure they reach their full potential.

 

Free School Meals – are you claiming your entitlement?

 
The number of people who can get a free school meal has been extended. From September 2026, if you are in receipt of Universal Credit, your child can get a free school meal.

Targeted free school meals
 

Your child can get targeted free school meals if you get any of the following benefits:

• Income-related ESA
• Income Support
• Income-based JSA
• Universal Credit (take home pay of £7,400 or less)
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Guarantee element of Pension Credit.

The following benefits do not make you eligible for free school meals:
 

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Carer’s Allowance
• New Style and Contribution based ESA.

If your child transfers from another school, their previous free school meals status does not carry over unless the parent or carer still meets the qualifying benefit criteria. The school will tell you if a new application needs to be submitted.

If your child can get targeted free school meals, they may also be able to get:
 

• a reduced-cost KCC Travel Saver bus pass (https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-transport/KCC-travel-saver/apply-for-a-KCC-travel-saver/cost-of-KCC-travel-saver) 
   
• access to the Holiday Activities and Food Programme. (https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals/holiday-activities-and-food-programme-haf)

Extended free school meals
 

If your Universal Credit take home is over £7,400, you can get extended free school meals.
 

Apply - https://apply.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/kent

Check your eligibility and process your application straight away. If your application is successful, your child should get a free school meal within 24 hours.