Pupil Premium

At Olney Infant Academy we aim to give every child the opportunity to reach their full potential.

This includes academic progress and a strong focus on diminishing the gap between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged pupils. We achieve this by supporting their social and emotional needs and overall wellbeing. Our goal is to provide an environment where every member of the school community can experience success and fulfilment.

High expectations and consistency of progress and achievement for all pupils are embedded throughout our school, regardless of gender, race, culture, or socio-economic background. We aim to give all children equal opportunities and experiences. For many pupils, this is further enhanced by ensuring Pupil Premium funding is used to maximum effect.

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Pupil Premium Eligibility

Pupil Premium is allocated to pupils who fall into one of the following categories:

• Pupils recorded as eligible for free school meals (FSM), or who have been eligible in the past six years (Ever 6).
• Children looked after by local authorities (Looked-After Children – LAC).
• Children previously looked after by a local authority or other state care (Previously Looked-After Children – PLAC).
• Pupils with parents serving in the armed forces (Service Children).

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Current Funding Rates (2025–26)

• £1,515 per eligible primary pupil (Ever 6 FSM).
• £2,630 for pupils who are looked after or previously looked after.
• £350 for service children.

Funding is based on pupils eligible at the time of the October census and is paid to schools in instalments throughout the academic year.

For pupils who have been registered as eligible for FSM and have also left local authority care, they attract the £2,630 rate.

Children who are currently looked after attract £2,630 of Pupil Premium funding, but this funding is managed by the Virtual School Head (VSH) in the local authority, not directly by the school.

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Qualifying for Free School Meals

To qualify for FSM (and therefore Pupil Premium), families must be in receipt of one of the following:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit (with a combined annual income below £16,190 and not receiving Working Tax Credit)
• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after stopping qualifying)
• Universal Credit (with annual net earnings below £7,400)
• National Asylum Seekers Support (NASS)
• Guaranteed Element of Pension Credit

Please note: Families receiving Working Tax Credit (except run-on) do not qualify for FSM.

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Important Update

From September 2026, all families on Universal Credit will become eligible for FSM, but this will not increase Pupil Premium funding.