Pupil Premium

Pupil Premium at Oakwood Park Grammar School

At Oakwood Park Grammar School, we are committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive academically and personally, regardless of their financial circumstances or background.

Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to schools to support educational outcomes for disadvantaged students. At OPGS, we use this funding strategically to remove barriers to achievement, maintain high expectations and ensure that eligible students can access the same opportunities as their peers.

Our approach reflects the needs of our students and our school context. We recognise that disadvantage does not always present itself through lower prior attainment. A student may be academically able while still experiencing financial, social, pastoral or educational barriers that affect their attendance, participation, access to enrichment or ability to achieve their full potential.

	2023-24 Whole Cohort	2023-24 PP	2024-25 Whole Cohort	2024-25 PP	2025-26 Whole Cohort	2025-26 PP
Attainment	64.72	60.83	68.44	71.82	66.05	61.38
Progress	+ 0.59	+0.01	+1.13	+1.63	+0.95	+0.55

 

 

Outcomes for PP	2022	2023	2024	202	2026
Gained English and Maths Grade 4+	90.91	100	91.67	100	100
Gained English and Maths Grade 5+	90.91	84.62	91.67	100	100
EBACC	63.64	54.44	58.33	90.91	61.54
A8 Score	64.64	59.54	60.83	71.82	61.38
P8	+0.45	+0.48	+0.01	+1.63	+0.55

Destinations of our Pupil Premium Students 2026

Who is eligible for Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium funding is principally provided for students who:

• are eligible for Targeted Free School Meals, or have been eligible for qualifying Free School Meals during the previous six years ("Ever 6");
• have previously been looked after by a local authority or other state care and subsequently left care through adoption, a Special Guardianship Order or Child Arrangements Order;
• meet the separate criteria for Service Pupil Premium, which supports children from service families.

Free School Meals and Pupil Premium – changes for 2026

From September 2026, Free School Meal eligibility has changed. All children in households receiving Universal Credit can now be eligible for a free school meal, subject to a claim being made and eligibility being verified.

However, there are now two categories:

Targeted Free School Meals – students meeting the qualifying criteria. This category can generate Pupil Premium funding for the school.

Expanded Free School Meals – students who qualify because their household receives Universal Credit but who do not meet the Targeted FSM criteria. These students receive a free school meal, but this category alone does not generate Pupil Premium funding.

Check or Apply for Free School Meals - Please click this link if you wish to claim Free School Meals - (Free school meals - Kent County Council)

How we use Pupil Premium at OPGS

At OPGS, we recognise that Pupil Premium students are highly able young people. Being disadvantaged does not mean that a student is necessarily behind academically.

Our ambition at OPGS is we want every Pupil Premium student to fulfil their academic potential, achieve highly, participate fully in school life and have access to the opportunities and experiences that will prepare them for their next steps.

We identify the individual barriers experienced by our students and use Pupil Premium funding alongside wider school resources to provide appropriate academic, pastoral and enrichment support.

Support is not based on a fixed entitlement or individual budget. Instead, we consider what will make the greatest difference to individual students and groups of students.

We therefore consider attainment, progress, attendance, wellbeing, participation, enrichment and future destinations when evaluating the support we provide.

 

What support might be available?

The support provided will depend upon individual circumstances and identified need. The examples below are therefore illustrative rather than an automatic entitlement.

Academic support

• Targeted academic intervention
• Revision materials and resources
• Support with textbooks and subject-specific resources
• Online learning and revision platforms
• Mentoring and academic monitoring
• Support with examination preparation
• Additional intervention where a student is at risk of falling behind

Access to school and learning

• School uniform support
• Essential school equipment
• Curriculum-related resources
• Support with educational visits and curriculum activities

Enrichment and opportunity

• Support towards educational visits and residential experiences
• Participation in clubs, activities and enrichment
• Music, sport and other wider opportunities where appropriate
• Support to ensure financial circumstances do not unnecessarily prevent students participating in school life

Pastoral and personal development

• Individual mentoring
• Attendance support
• Pastoral intervention
• Careers information, advice and guidance
• Support with transition between key stages
• Support with post-16 progression and raising aspirations

 

FAQ

How do I ask for support?

We encourage families to talk to us if they need support. We understand that family circumstances can change and that asking for financial help can sometimes feel difficult.

If financial circumstances are preventing, or may prevent, your child from accessing an aspect of school life, please contact us via the school office. We will make sure your enquiry reaches the appropriate member of staff.

All requests will be considered sensitively and confidentially. Being eligible for Pupil Premium does not automatically mean that every cost can be met, but we will always consider your child's individual circumstances, what support may be appropriate and whether there are other ways in which we can help.

How will I know if my child is eligible for Pupil Premium support?

The school receives information about students who attract Pupil Premium funding through the school census and other official records. If you believe your child may be eligible but are unsure whether the school is aware of their circumstances, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

We strongly encourage families who may be eligible for Free School Meals to check their eligibility and make a claim, even if their child does not intend to take a free meal at school. Registering an eligible child for Free School Meals can help ensure that the school receives the appropriate information and additional funding to support eligible students.

If your family's financial circumstances have recently changed, we would also encourage you to check whether your child may now qualify and to contact the school if you need any assistance with this.

Does my child have to take a Free School Meal to receive Pupil Premium support?
No. Free School Meals (FSM) and Pupil Premium are closely linked, but they are not the same thing. Pupil Premium funding is provided to the school for eligible students, including those who are currently eligible for FSM or have been recorded as eligible during the previous six years ("Ever 6"). Your child does not have to take a free meal each day to benefit from the support the school provides through Pupil Premium.

Does every Pupil Premium student receive the same support?
No. We want our support to make a meaningful difference, so it will not necessarily look the same for every student. We consider the needs of individual students and groups of students when deciding how best to use Pupil Premium funding. This may include support with learning, access to resources and opportunities, attendance, wellbeing or other barriers that could affect a student's progress and experience at school.

Can Pupil Premium help with school trips and educational activities?
Yes. We want financial circumstances to be as little a barrier as possible to students accessing their education. The school can provide support with the cost of curriculum-related trips, visits and activities for eligible students. If you are unsure whether support is available for a particular activity, please contact us.

Can the school help with uniform or equipment?
Yes. We recognise that the cost of uniform, equipment and other items needed for school can place additional pressure on families. Support may be available for eligible students. Please contact the school finance office ~(finance@opgs.org) and we will be happy to discuss what assistance we can provide.

What happens if our family's financial circumstances change?
Please let us know. If your circumstances have changed and you think your child may now be eligible for Free School Meals, we strongly encourage you to check your eligibility and apply. 

Will my child's teachers know that they receive Pupil Premium support?
Relevant members of staff will have access to the information they need to support your child effectively. This helps teachers consider whether there are any barriers to learning or participation and ensure appropriate support is available. We handle this information sensitively and would never want a student to feel singled out because they receive additional support.

Is Pupil Premium available in the Sixth Form?
The Pupil Premium grant described above applies to eligible pupils from Reception to Year 11, so it does not continue as Pupil Premium funding when a student enters the Sixth Form.

However, financial support is available to eligible Sixth Form students through the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund. This is designed to help students overcome financial barriers to participating in education and can provide support with essential costs such as travel, books, equipment or other costs associated with their study programme. Eligibility and the level of support depend on a student's individual circumstances and needs. Our Sixth Form team can provide further information and support families with the application process.

DfE 16 to 19 Bursary Fund guidance

How do I apply for Free School Meals?
Please use the Free School Meals application link on this page to check your eligibility and apply. 

Who should I contact if I need help or I am unsure whether my child is eligible?
Please contact the school office. We understand that family circumstances can change and that asking for financial support is not always easy. Any enquiry will be treated sensitively and confidentially.

DfE Pupil Premium guidance for 2026/27