At Hermitage, we are committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their very best. We recognise that some pupils may experience barriers to their learning, wellbeing, attendance or wider participation, and we are ambitious for all pupils, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to improve the educational outcomes of disadvantaged pupils and accelerate their progress so that differences in attainment between disadvantaged pupils and their peers are reduced.

For 2026–27, Pupil Premium funding includes eligible pupils who are currently entitled to Targeted Free School Meals (FSM) or have been eligible during the previous six years (Ever 6), as well as looked-after and previously looked-after children, in accordance with Department for Education eligibility criteria.

From September 2026, eligibility for free school meals has been expanded to include all pupils from households receiving Universal Credit. However, pupils who qualify only under this Expanded FSM entitlement do not attract Pupil Premium funding. We will nevertheless continue to identify and respond to the needs and barriers of all pupils who may require additional support.

Service Pupil Premium is also provided for eligible children from Armed Forces families. This funding is primarily intended to provide pastoral support and to help mitigate the impact that aspects of service life, including mobility and parental deployment, may have on children.

Our approach

We identify the individual needs, strengths and barriers experienced by our pupils and use this understanding to determine how our Pupil Premium funding can have the greatest impact. Pupil Premium is not treated as an individual budget for each eligible child; funding is used strategically to address identified needs and improve outcomes.

Our Pupil Premium Strategy is an integral part of our wider school improvement work. It is informed by high-quality research and the Education Endowment Foundation's evidence-informed approach to Pupil Premium planning.

Our strategy follows a three-tiered approach:

1. High-quality teaching – ensuring consistently effective, inclusive teaching, assessment and curriculum provision, with high expectations for all pupils.

2. Targeted academic support – providing carefully selected, evidence-informed support and intervention where pupils require additional help to make strong progress.

3. Wider strategies – identifying and addressing wider barriers to learning and wellbeing, including attendance, behaviour, social and emotional needs, participation and engagement with families.

We monitor the implementation and impact of our strategy annually and adapt our approaches in response to evidence and the changing needs of our pupils. Staff and governors share responsibility for ensuring that our strategy is implemented effectively, and that disadvantaged pupils receive the support, challenge and opportunities they need to succeed.

Full details of our identified priorities, planned expenditure, intended outcomes and how we evaluate impact can be found in our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement below.

Further information about national eligibility and funding arrangements is available from the Department for Education's Pupil Premium guidance.

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