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Pupil Premium 2026/27

Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to schools to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. At Thomas Alleyne's High School, we use this funding strategically to remove barriers to learning, improve attendance, enhance wellbeing and ensure every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Our Pupil Premium Strategy

Schools are required by the Department for Education to publish a Pupil Premium Strategy Statement each academic year.

Our strategy sets out:

  • the amount of Pupil Premium funding the school expects to receive;

  • the barriers to learning experienced by our disadvantaged pupils;

  • how we intend to spend the funding;

  • the evidence that underpins our chosen approaches;

  • how the impact of the funding will be measured; and

  • how previous funding has been used and evaluated.

Our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement is published annually on the school website and reviewed regularly to ensure our approach remains evidence-informed and responsive to the needs of our students.

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 

How Pupil Premium funding is used

Although Pupil Premium funding is allocated based on the number of eligible pupils on roll, it is not ring-fenced for individual children and should not be viewed as a personal budget for each eligible student.

Instead, Thomas Alleyne's High School uses the funding strategically to provide both whole-school and targeted interventions that have the greatest impact on educational outcomes.

Decisions about how funding is deployed are informed by educational research, school data and individual conversations with students, parents and carers to understand each student's circumstances and identify the most appropriate support.

Support may include:

  • targeted academic intervention and tutoring;

  • curriculum resources and educational visits;

  • pastoral and wellbeing support;

  • attendance and engagement initiatives;

  • careers guidance and aspiration-raising opportunities;

  • enrichment activities; and

  • other evidence-informed interventions designed to remove barriers to learning.

Our approach recognises that every student is different. Rather than allocating a fixed amount of funding to individual pupils, we use Pupil Premium flexibly to ensure support is tailored to need and delivers the greatest possible impact for all eligible students.

If you have any questions please contact Jack Biggs, Assistant Headteacher:SENDCO, j.biggs@i2e.org.uk 

FREE SCHOOL MEALS 

At Thomas Alleyne's High School, we want every student to have access to a healthy, nutritious meal during the school day. If your child is eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

What are Free School Meals?

Free School Meals provide eligible pupils with a free school lunch each day. Registering may also enable the school to receive additional government funding through the Pupil Premium, helping us provide additional educational support, resources and opportunities for students.

From September 2026, there are now two categories of Free School Meals:

Targeted Free School Meals (Means-Tested)

Targeted Free School Meals are means-tested and are available to children whose families meet specific eligibility criteria. Pupils who receive Targeted FSM also attract Pupil Premium funding for the school and may qualify for additional support, including the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme and some local authority assistance.

Expanded Free School Meals

From September 2026, all children living in households receiving Universal Credit are entitled to receive a free school meal, regardless of household earnings. This is known as Expanded Free School Meals.

While these pupils are entitled to receive a free school meal each day, Expanded Free School Meals do not automatically attract Pupil Premium funding. Pupil Premium and associated benefits remain linked to Targeted (means-tested) Free School Meals.

Check if you're eligible

Parents and carers can quickly and securely check their child's eligibility using the online eligibility checker:

Free School Meals Eligibility Checker: https://fsm.lgfl.net/

The checker provides an instant result for most families and is the quickest way to determine eligibility.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to complete the eligibility check. Even if your child chooses not to have a school meal every day, registering is still worthwhile if you are eligible for Targeted Free School Meals, as it enables the school to receive additional funding to support students.

Staffordshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme

Children who qualify for Targeted (means-tested) Free School Meals may also be eligible for the Staffordshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.

The HAF programme provides free holiday clubs during the Easter, summer and winter school holidays, offering exciting activities, opportunities to make new friends and a healthy meal.

To find out more about the programme, check eligibility and book activities, visit:

Staffordshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/financial-support-school/holiday-activities-and-food-haf

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

At Thomas Alleyne’s High School, we are proud of our diverse community and are committed to ensuring that every student can thrive, regardless of their first language. We celebrate the many languages and cultures represented within our school and believe that multilingualism is a strength to be valued.

Students who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL) receive the support they need to access the full curriculum while continuing to value and develop their home language. Our aim is to help every learner become confident in speaking, listening, reading and writing English through high-quality classroom teaching, personalised support and inclusive practice.

Newly arrived students are welcomed into our school community with an individual assessment of their English language proficiency. This enables us to plan appropriate support and monitor progress over time. Teachers use a range of evidence-based strategies, including visual resources, vocabulary pre-teaching, collaborative learning, modelling and scaffolding, to ensure EAL learners can participate fully in lessons and achieve their potential.

Our dedicated EAL Lead works alongside the Assistant Headteacher: SENDCO, subject teachers and families to provide coordinated support. We recognise that learning English takes time and that EAL is distinct from Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Every student is encouraged to maintain pride in their cultural identity while developing the language skills needed for academic success.

We currently support students who speak 13 different languages, reflecting the rich diversity of our school community. By working closely with families and providing a welcoming, inclusive environment, we ensure that all students feel safe, valued and able to succeed.

Further Information

If you have any questions about English as an Additional Language (EAL) provision at Thomas Alleyne’s High School, please contact our EAL Lead:

L. Vincent
Email: L.Vincent@i2e.org.uk

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