Disadvantaged Children

At St James’ Catholic High School, we believe that every child, regardless of background, social deprivation and financial situation, should have equal opportunities for success. Evidence shows that disadvantaged children generally face additional challenges in reaching their potential at school and often do not perform as well as other children. As such, we use Pupil Premium funding to overcome any barriers to the  achievement and progress of our disadvantaged children and support them in reaching their full potential.

Pupil Premium funding is allocated to schools to provide financial support for children who:

• were registered as eligible for free school meals (FSM) at any point in the last 6 years.
• were adopted from care, left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or residence order.
• children who have been in local-authority care for 1 day or more also attract pupil premium funding. Funding for these pupils does not go to the school; it goes to the virtual school head (VSH) in the local authority that looks after the child.

You can apply for free school meals if you receive:

• Income Support
• Universal Credit (provided your household income is less than £7,400 a year after tax and not including any benefits you get)
• income related Employment and Support Allowance
• income based Job Seekers Allowance
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child Tax Credit only with an income of less than £16,190
• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit

If you feel your child may be eligible for free school meals and is not receiving this entitlement please refer to the Stockport Borough Council website and apply here. 

Please open the document below to read our Pupil Premium strategy for this academic year, including a review of Pupil Premium spending of the previous academic year:

Click here to download St James’ Disadvantaged Pupil Strategy 2024-2025