Free school meals and Pupil Premium – How to Apply 

For children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 

​All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are automatically entitled to  free school meals  under the  Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme. 

You can apply for pupil premium to West Northamptonshire Council if you are in receipt of the Qualifying Benefits listed below.  Pupil Premium funding is available to help further support and improve the quality of their education. The child must reside with the applicant. 

Apply for pupil premium up to year 2 

For children in Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 

The school will automatically get a  pupil premium  amount if your child is eligible for free school meals. 

You can apply for  free school meals  if you are in receipt of Qualifying Benefits.  Applications are to West Northamptonshire Council using the link below 

Qualifying Benefits  

• Universal Credit (annual net income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods) 

• Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-based Employment and Support Allowance 

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 

• The guarantee element of Pension Credit 

• Child Tax Credit (provided you're not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190) 

• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying) 

The application outcome will be confirmed instantly by the West Northamptonshire Council and emailed to you with a reference number. The Council advise that they will process the application and notify us within 5 working days. Pupil premium is automatically applied for at the same time.   

During September and October there is a longer wait for applications to be processed. 

Check eligibility and apply 

Children in Care or with Special Educational Needs (SEN) 

Families with children in care or with SEN need to meet the eligibility criteria above. 

The government directly funds meals for children residing in local authority care homes. 

Changes and support 

Contact the free school meal team by email at freeschoolmeals.ncc@northnorthants.gov.uk if: 

• you stop receiving an eligible benefit 

• you change your address 

• you need help or support including unsuccessful or pending applications 

Pupil Premium at The Duston School 

The Duston School assesses the needs of Pupil Premium pupils to identify the provision or support that will have the most beneficial impact of their education. It is envisaged that a high proportion of the 2025-26 budget will be spent on staffing to ensure pupils have access to a high  quality, well sequenced knowledge-rich curriculum, as well as the support that we are able to provide below.  

All pupils who are in receipt of Pupil Premium in the Primary Phase will receive a ring-fenced amount of £100 to spend on the following:  

• School uniform – This will be provided as a voucher or prior authorisation for reimbursement  

• Support towards educational trips and visits  

• Support towards extra-curricular clubs and accessing holiday clubs  

• Support towards swimming lessons  

• Books to support learning and reading for pleasure  

• Support towards in-school peripatetic music lessons  

Please consider how you wish to spend your child’s allocated £100 and contact pp@thedustonschool.org to proceed with any of the options listed above.