In April 2011 the government introduced Pupil Premium Funding. This 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.

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Pupil Premium Funding is available to students who meet the following criteria:

• Students who are eligible for Free School Meals

• Students who have been in receipt of Free School Meals during the last six years (Ever 6).

• Looked after children

• Students whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces

• Students who have been adopted from care under the 2002 Adoption and Children’s Act or who are under a special guardianship or residency order.

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For students who meet one or more of these criteria there are, potentially, a number of barriers to learning that can be identified, these are:

• Low aspirations

• Poor attendance

• Difficult family circumstances

• Access to additional resources such as revision guides, school materials or school trips.