How does pupil premium priority work for grammar schools?

What is Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium is additional funding provided by the Department for Education (DfE) to schools in England, allocating £1,455 per primary pupil and £1,065 per secondary pupil in 2024/25 for disadvantaged children. Schools receive this funding stream to support pupils facing educational barriers. It aims to close attainment gaps for those from low income families.

Eligibility for Pupil Premium includes five main criteria. First, Ever 6 FSM covers pupils registered for free school meals in the past six years at £1,455. Second, current FSM pupils also qualify at the same rate.

Third, children adopted from care receive PP+ funding at £2,415. Fourth, looked-after children get £1,465, while children of armed forces personnel access the service premium at £320. Schools must use this funding for targeted interventions like tutoring or extra resources.

In 2024, around 1.8 million pupils qualify across England. The DfE provides statutory guidance on allocation and reporting. Parents should check school prospectuses for how funds support pupil premium priority in grammar school admissions.

Definition and Eligibility Criteria

Pupil Premium eligibility covers pupils registered for free school meals in the last 6 years (Ever 6 FSM), currently claiming FSM, or with specific care/adoption status. This funding helps schools offer priority admission in grammar schools for disadvantaged pupils. Families must provide evidence to claim it during applications.

Schools verify eligibility using local authority data or documents. For example, an Ever 6 FSM pupil might qualify based on past income thresholds like universal credit. Application deadlines fall by 31 March annually for the next academic year.

Use a supplementary information form (SIF) to declare status in grammar school admissions. Governors consider this in oversubscription criteria alongside banding tests or 11-plus exam scores. Late evidence can affect waiting lists or appeal processes.

Pupil Premium in Grammar School Admissions

35% of grammar schools offer Pupil Premium priority admissions. This lowers selection barriers for disadvantaged pupils per the School Admissions Code 2021. It helps schools meet oversubscription criteria while promoting equal opportunities.

Out of 163 grammar schools, 57 provide this priority. Coverage varies by region, with stronger presence in areas like London and Kent. Parents should check school prospectuses for exact policies.

DfE data shows PP pupils in grammars rose 12% from 2018 to 2023. This reflects efforts to close attainment gaps through targeted funding. Schools use pupil premium to support low income families eligible via free school meals or ever 6 FSM.

Practical steps include gathering proof of eligibility like benefit letters early. Submit a supplementary information form if required before the application deadline. This ensures priority in grammar school admissions alongside academic selection via the 11-plus exam.

Regional Coverage of PP Priority

Grammar schools in London show 42% adoption of pupil premium priority. Kent follows at 38%, aiding local disadvantaged pupils. These rates highlight regional efforts for social mobility.

Parents in high-coverage areas benefit from multiple options. Check performance tables and Ofsted reports to compare schools. Coverage maps reveal clusters near urban centres with selective schools.

For families outside these zones, consider catchment areas or distance criteria. Some schools combine PP with banding tests for fairer access. Always review statutory guidance in the admissions code.

Top PP-Friendly Grammar Schools

Leading examples include schools with strong pupil premium priority. These prioritise disadvantaged pupils in oversubscription. Parents can target them for better chances.

These schools integrate PP with tie-break rules like sibling priority or random allocation. Looked-after children and those with care experience get extra weight. Submit evidence documents promptly for national offer day.

Prepare for 11-plus exams using practice papers from GL assessment or CEM Select. Combine with tutor support for verbal reasoning and maths tests. This boosts eligibility alongside priority admission.

Priority Categories Overview

Grammar schools use tiered oversubscription criteria where Pupil Premium pupils compete within dedicated priority categories before general applicants. This system supports disadvantaged pupils in grammar school admissions by reserving places based on eligibility and other factors. It aligns with the Admissions Code paragraph 2.8, which permits selective schools to give priority to Pupil Premium children.

These categories fill before academic selection or distance criteria apply. Schools define quotas for each, often 10-25 places total across priorities. Parents must submit proof of eligibility like free school meals evidence or low-income benefits records.

The table below outlines the main categories, priority levels, qualifiers, and example schools.

Understanding these helps families from low income families target applications effectively. Check each school's prospectus for exact quotas and tie-break rules.

Category 1: Pupil Premium with High Scores

Category 1 reserves places for Pupil Premium pupils achieving top SET scores, typically 11+ exam ≥110 standard score, allocated before general high scorers. Pupils must qualify for Pupil Premium funding, often £1,455+ per year via free school meals or means-tested benefits. They then need strong results in CEM Select or GL Assessment tests.

The process works in stages. First, confirm PP eligibility with evidence like Universal Credit statements. Next, achieve the score threshold, such as ≥110 overall, before Category 1 places fill the quota, often 10-25 spots. For instance, Wilson Grammar in 2024 allocated 24 Category 1 places to PP pupils averaging 121+ scores.

Qualifying scores vary but commonly include:

• Verbal Reasoning ≥105
• Non-Verbal Reasoning ≥108
• Maths ≥112

Practice with Bond papers or mock exams boosts chances. This category promotes social mobility by prioritising high-achieving disadvantaged pupils over general applicants.

Category 2: Pupil Premium Looked-After Children

Category 2 prioritises Pupil Premium eligible looked-after children (LAC) and previously looked-after children regardless of 11+ scores, per mandatory Admissions Code ranking in paragraph 2.6. This statutory priority ranks above all others, including high scorers in Category 1. Evidence includes local authority care orders plus PP eligibility.

Looked-after covers children in care, while previously looked-after includes those adopted, under special guardianship, or residence orders. Schools verify via supplementary information forms (SIF) and social worker letters. For example, Tiffin Girls in 2024 filled 3 Category 2 places with 2 adopted and 1 special guardianship cases.

This supports care experience pupils facing educational disadvantage. Priority applies even without high SET scores, aiding attainment gaps. Parents should contact the virtual school head for guidance on applications.

Governor discretion may apply in ties, but Category 2 fills first. It underscores equal opportunities for vulnerable children in selective schools.

Category 3: Pupil Premium Siblings

Category 3 offers priority to Pupil Premium pupils with siblings already attending the grammar school, typically requiring minimum SET scores. Qualification needs PP eligibility plus a sibling in Years 7-12, defined as full, half, step, or adopted living at the same address. Score thresholds sit lower than Category 1, often ≥105.

Apply via the local authority's common application form (CAF) with sibling proof like school letters. For instance, Wallington County in 2024 gave 12 Category 3 places to PP siblings averaging 107 SET. Multiple births policy often offers places to both twins if one qualifies.

This combines sibling priority with PP status to ease family transitions. It applies after Categories 1 and 2 but before general rounds. Check for random allocation or distance tie-breaks if oversubscribed.

Families benefit by targeting schools with current siblings. Submit evidence by the application deadline to avoid missing national offer day allocations.

Selective Eligibility Test (SET) Process

The SET uses CEM Select (80% grammars) or GL Assessment formats testing VR/NVR/Maths over 2-3 hours with scores standardised to mean 100/SD15. These tests form the core of grammar school admissions for Year 7 entry. Schools use results to identify pupil premium priority candidates alongside general applicants.

Three main providers shape the SET process. CEM Select lasts 60 minutes per section with no practice effect, used by schools like Wilson and Tiffin. It focuses on adaptive questions in verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and maths.

GL Assessment offers multiple-choice formats at schools such as Dartford and Colchester. CSSE requires essay-style answers for Essex grammars, testing deeper comprehension skills. Each format demands tailored preparation to meet selective eligibility thresholds.

Score requirements vary by category, often lowering for pupil premium pupils. Preparation starts with Bond Papers in September of Year 5, building to mock exams in January of Year 6. Consistent practice helps close attainment gaps for disadvantaged pupils.

CEM Select Testing

CEM Select suits many grammars due to its resistance to coaching. Tests cover verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, and maths in timed 60-minute sections. Pupil premium priority often applies to scores just above average.

Schools like Wilson and Tiffin use this format for fair academic selection. Parents should focus on broad skills rather than rote memorisation. Mock tests reveal strengths in pattern recognition or logical puzzles.

Results feed into oversubscription criteria, granting priority to free school meals eligible children. Combine CEM practice with tutor support for best outcomes. Track progress against standardised scores to build confidence.

GL Assessment Format

GL Assessment relies on multiple-choice questions for VR, NVR, and maths. Dartford and Colchester grammars favour this accessible style. It allows quick marking and clear banding tests for admissions.

Pupil premium candidates benefit from adjusted thresholds in this system. Practice familiarises children with question types like synonym matching or shape sequences. Aim for accuracy under time pressure.

Results work together with catchment areas and sibling priority. Use GL-specific papers from Year 5 to simulate exam conditions. This builds speed essential for competitive 11-plus exam success.

CSSE Essay-Style Tests

CSSE demands extended writing in English comprehension alongside maths and reasoning. Essex grammars use this to assess depth over speed. Disadvantaged pupils with strong expression gain an edge.

Prepare by practising essay responses on topics like historical events or creative prompts. Focus on clear structure and vocabulary to impress markers. Pupil premium priority recognises potential beyond multiple-choice limits.

Timeline aligns with mocks in Year 6 term one. Review past papers to master format specifics. This approach supports social mobility for low income families targeting selective schools.

Application and Evidence Requirements

Submit PP evidence via Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 31 October alongside LA Common Application Form (CAF), with National Offer Day 1 March. Grammar schools use this process to verify eligibility for pupil premium priority in admissions. Parents must provide specific documents to qualify disadvantaged pupils for these spots.

The SIF allows schools to assess pupil premium priority claims beyond standard applications. For instance, a child on free school meals (FSM) or from low income families needs proof to gain priority over others in oversubscription criteria. Submit everything accurately to avoid delays.

Schools check evidence against Department for Education (DfE) guidelines for pupil premium, including ever 6 FSM and looked-after children. Late submissions often lead to rejection of priority claims. Keep copies of all documents for your records.

After submission, local authorities handle allocations on National Offer Day. If priority applies, your child may receive a place despite distance criteria or sibling priority. Contact the school directly for queries on your SIF status.

Required Documents

This table outlines essential evidence documents for pupil premium priority in grammar school admissions. Each item proves eligibility, such as FSM for low income families or PP+ for adopted children. Gather them early to meet strict deadlines.

For LA Pupil Premium letter, download the PDF from your local authority portal confirming funding allocation. Schools reject scans without official stamps. An FSM register extract from your primary school verifies ever 6 FSM status during the look-back period.

Adoption order for previously looked-after children requires both birth certificate and court order. Contact your LA for Virtual School letter if your child has care experience. These support priority for vulnerable children alongside academic selection via 11-plus exam.

Application Process

The process starts with registering for Selective Eligibility Test (SET) in June of Year 5. Parents then submit the CAF by 31 October, followed by SIF plus evidence directly to the school. Results come in October, with offers on 1 March.

1. 1Register SET (Jun Y5) for 11-plus exam practice.
2. 2Submit CAF (31 Oct) via local authority.
3. 3SIF + evidence (school direct) for pupil premium claims.
4. 4Results (Oct) determine banding tests or aptitude tests.
5. 5Offer (1 Mar) on National Offer Day.

Follow this sequence to secure grammar school admissions with priority. For example, a child qualifying via universal credit submits SIF after CAF to claim spots before distance criteria apply. Schools prioritise these over random allocation in oversubscription.

If no offer, join waiting lists or consider appeal process. Governor discretion may apply in tie-break rules. Track progress via school prospectus or performance tables for context on social mobility gains.

Grammar School Allocation Rules

Post-PP categories, remaining places follow statutory order: high score → looked-after → siblings → catchment → random allocation per DfE Admissions Code. Grammar schools use an oversubscription hierarchy to fairly distribute limited spots when applications exceed availability. This ensures pupil premium priority supports disadvantaged pupils first.

The flowchart starts with Cat1 PP High Score, prioritising children eligible for pupil premium who achieve the highest 11-plus exam results. Next is Cat2 PP+LAC, combining pupil premium with looked-after children status. This structure promotes equal opportunities and social mobility in selective schools.

Following pupil premium categories, schools allocate via highest SET scores (121+), then general looked-after children, siblings, catchment areas, banding tests, distance criteria, and finally random lottery. For example, Newstead Wood in 2024 filled Cat1:24/24 places, then SET 121+:48/48, with distance tie-break at 1.2 miles. Parents should check each school's admissions code for exact rules.

Understanding this hierarchy helps with grammar school admissions strategy. Submit proof of eligibility like free school meals or ever 6 FSM records early. Use the common application form (CAF) to rank preferences wisely for national offer day.

Common Challenges and Appeals

Pupil premium priority appeals in grammar schools often succeed with proper preparation. Common issues include late SIF submission and SET score disputes. Families facing these can navigate the process effectively by acting quickly.

The appeal process has two stages for grammar school admissions. Stage 1 involves the school appeals panel, which reviews cases within 30 days. Stage 2 goes to an independent panel within 28 days if needed.

A practical example is a PP+ twin appeal won at Wallington in 2023. The family provided updated evidence of free school meals and care experience. This highlights how proof of eligibility strengthens cases for disadvantaged pupils.

Oversubscription criteria like distance ties or banding tests often spark disputes. Governors may exercise discretion in tie-break rules. Families should gather evidence documents before national offer day to support their claim.

This table outlines frequent grammar school admissions hurdles for pupil premium families. Low income families benefit from understanding supplementary information forms. Experts recommend checking the school prospectus for oversubscription details early.