Confused over Pupil Premium

[JeffreyNeedsAHobby]

Hi everyone,

I'm a single parent and currently earn under £10k pa and receive working tax credits. I was led to believe this made us eligible for funding for primary school as it would be the equivalent of FSM. However after applying to the Council I have been told that BECAUSE I am in receipt of working tax credits I am not eligible.
How does this work? Am I meant to give them up so her school can get funding?

Surely you're eligible OP? I'd query it, unless I've missed something here. You can receive fsm if in WTC if earning under around 16k

I'm a lp and earn £8 and receive WTC. I'm not eligible for PP or FSM. When I compare what my dc's have and the way I bring them up I realise how privileged they are compared to some school families who I'm sure need PP and FSM.

jef if you give up work I don't think you'll even be entitled to JSA I'm afraid.

Oh bloody phone. I earn £8k a year. Not eight pounds.

No Apple you can't claim fsm and wtc.

Really? I used to assess eligibility and you could, although this was a few years ago

You can get Free School Meals for your child if you or your partner gets either:
Universal Credit.
Income Support.
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income of £16,190 or less, as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs

Apple, if you RTFT the qualification criteria has been posted a couple of times.

Although I might be thinking of CTC.. All a blur!

I'm obviously not going to give up working JUST so I can get PP for the school (and yes I do realise it isn't for me, but the school). I just think my lifestyle is so hectic and I thought these things were in place for people on low income and single parents to help us bring our kids up to the same level in education as non-disadvantaged kids. I don't agree that just because I scrape a living my child is better of educationally than a family who are at home - some studies may disagree but surely that is a percentage and usually based on two parents not single parent families. My point was that if I take time out to study rather than working maybe it would be better for us all. It does feel as if the school is being penalised because I have a job.

If you took time out to study you won't get anything.

so where do you draw the line

,sahm DH working,people that work under 25hr a week should they not be eligible to ???

The line is that only those in receipt of the benefits previously listed are eligible for FSM

sorry mrz that was meant to op

Well, naively it seems I thought that anyone with a child who's household income isn't 16K+.

I understand entirely what you mean op.
I was out of work for a while and after the little bit of rent I paid I had quiet a lot of money.
Like a fool (at times I really do think this) I went back to work. After rent I had less than before, and unlike before I couldn't get fsm because of wtc.

I do think it should be the cut off regardless of wtc. The household income should be looked at.

My DS recieves pupil premium...He has since recpetion...Now year 4..I suspect it has funded small groups and other stuff...This year it had actually been allocated to my DS and seen massive results..I am now working so doesn't get FSM despite low income.

Your dd still receives pp StarryOne

Not if you are getting WTC though, clearly!
I get that it's cheaper for them this way, but I still think it is a ridiculous cop out.
Luckily there is an SEN teacher in dd's class already so she gets more than most as they have teacher, assistant and SEN. Am I meant to be saving up my WTC for school trips?

yes you will be expected to pay for trips eg,swimming,day trips,some in house activities

were not talking huge amounts

if we want our children to do these things we need to pay for them

At my childrens primary school PP children have all trips/workshops etc paid for by school including the residentials plus I think they receive a free PE kit

thats very rare SN and your the first ive heard that do that

i think the majority's of primary have to ask for some sought of contribution,and frankly i dont see whats so wrong with that

If your child was entitled to PP it wouldn't necessarily mean there would be extra staff or free trips. It's up to the head to decide what will have the most benefit

If she's only 4 you're a bit premature thinking about what you can get when she's 7. Lots can change - you may be working more and earning more by then.

I certainly hope i'll be earning more by then.
I was just confused about why the school couldn't get it with me on such a low income.
School trips may not sound much to some, but actually when you are on what we on it is the difference between having a nice week or giving up a few things. We've had £7 for PE kit, loads of £1 dress up days and a trip that was £14 and more to come this term. It does all add up.

I wasnt too badly off financially as a student so don't discount idea.

As for school trips u could get involved with school and suggest a calendar of events expected through school year with rough ideas of costs. This would help all parents with the budgeting.