Press release

Schools are Missing Out on Additional Funding

27 Jan 2011

In December 2010, the Government announced that the pupil premium is to change. From now on the pupil premium is to be allocated to schools based on the amount of pupils eligible for and actively claiming free school dinners. The idea is to target money at pupils from deprived backgrounds.

The funding is in addition to the schools underlying budget, standing at £430 per pupil, no matter where they live or any other variables. This means that schools can receive an additional £430 per pupil eligible for and actively claiming free school dinners.

The problem is that not all pupils who are entitled are actively claiming their free school dinner. Whether this is for social reasons and the perceived stigma attached to free school dinners, or ignorance on behalf of the pupils and their parents about their entitlement, it is now costing schools at a time where funding has never been so sparse. 

The Life Channel is working hard to combat this serious problem and ensure that pupils entitled to free school dinners register to receive them, allowing schools to collect the additional funding they are entitled to.

Having worked first hand with teachers, pupils and health professionals, The Life Channel has created a series of short, age-appropriate films designed to tackle the most prominent issues preventing students from claiming the free school meals they are entitled to.

Having already implemented a successful free meals school campaign in a secondary school in Leeds, The Life Channel is eager to both alert schools to this additional funding opportunity and ensure that they are do not miss out on the funding they are entitled to.

For more information on the Pupil Premium and how The Life Channel can help your school please do not hesitate to call us on: 01772 722 510.