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<p>Eligibility for the pupil premium is founded on the number of pupils recorded through
the annual school census as claiming free school meals (FSM) currently or at any point
in the last 6 years. The numbers and proportions of pupils attracting pupil premium
each year are published here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/search/advanced?group=guidance_and_regulation&topic=%2Feducation%2Fpupil-premium-and-other-school-premiums"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/search/advanced?group=guidance_and_regulation&topic=%2Feducation%2Fpupil-premium-and-other-school-premiums</a>.</p><p>This
shows a small downward trend in the proportion of pupils attracting the pupil premium
since 2015, from 27.07% of the pupil population in 2015 to 25.13% in 2018. The reduction
is seen in a large number of areas across the country and is related to there being
fewer parents than in previous years claiming the benefits which would make their
children eligible for FSM.</p><p>Schools and local authorities have worked hard over
recent years to encourage all eligible families to register for FSM, to ensure that
schools receive the full amount of pupil premium funding to which they are entitled.
We provide an eligibility checking system to make the checking process as quick and
straightforward as possible for schools and local authorities, and have developed
a model registration form to help schools encourage parents to sign up for FSM.</p>
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