COVID funding for families with no recourse to public funds
FAO: All phases, School Business Managers, Headteachers, Chair of Governors
As you will know, although FSM has been extended temporarily to children from many NRPF groups(including those on section 4 support) as per this policy: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-free-school-meals-guidance/guidance-for-the-temporary-extension-of-free-school-meals-eligibility-to-nrpf-groups it appeared that they nevertheless continued to be excluded from the pupil premium grant.
The Secretary of State has agreed to extend the pupil premium for the financial year April 2021 - 2022 and implement a process whereby eligible schools can make claims for the 2021-2022 pupil premium grant.
The Government has very recently announced the implementation of a process by which schools and academies can apply for additional pupil premium funding: (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/esfa-update-2-june-2021/esfa-update-local-authorities-2-june-2021)
Schools can now make the claim using the following online form and Guidance:
https://form.education.gov.uk/service/nrpf
The deadline to submit these claims is 5 PM on 30 June 2021.
Please see attached a technical briefing note which sets out the challenge in more detail and provides more information. Also attached is the final Sealed Order and the Government’s response to the pre-action letter setting out their agreement to extend the scheme.
Lucy Nutt
Head of School and Early Years Improvement Service