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St John’s Academy is committed to raising the attainment of all students. We receive Service Pupil Premium government funding to help us ensure every student is successful.
The Department for Education continues to provide the Service Pupil Premium to State Schools, Academies and Free Schools within England that have Service children on their school roll.
Service children are defined as Pupils in Year Groups Reception to Year 11 recorded as a Service Child since 2011 or in receipt of a child pension from the Ministry of Defence. For more information on eligibility, please see 
https://www.gov.uk/service-premium-information-for-schools (note: link opens in a new tab).
For the 2017-18 school year, the Service Pupil Premium for Service Children will be £300.00 per child in Reception Year through to Year 11.
If a school is not aware that a child has a parent in HM Forces, the school will not be able to claim the additional funds available, thus reducing the support the school is able to provide for its Service pupils.
All parents with children in state funded schools in England should ensure that the Head Teacher of the school is made aware of their child(ren)’s Service status, before the next Schools Census. This information is not shared with other organisations and is protected on the National Pupil database. If you wish to amend your child’s school record to identify them as a Service child please contact Miss McNeill at the Academy.
The Service Pupil Premium (SPP) is provided by the Department for Education to enable schools to offer additional, mainly pastoral, support during challenging times, which could include anything from a Service parent being away, being injured on active service to bereavement. Funds are paid directly to schools; with Head Teachers and school Governors deciding how the funds are used.
At St John’s we are spending the majority of our service pupil premium money on pastoral support, but we also think it is important to practically support students so they can enjoy a range of opportunities. We have a Service Pupil Premium Champion appointed in 2016, Mrs Griffiths. She is one of our teachers and is a military wife and understands well the challenges that Service children face. She is available for advice and support where required.
We would like to use some of the Service Pupil Premium to give your son/daughter some items for free that subject departments would normally ask parents to buy. This may include GCSE revision guides, a calculator or general stationary, all of which is available from the library.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I tell the school that my child is a Service child?
Some schools ask parents to provide characteristic information including the Services Children Indicator for their children. If you are asked to provide this information please ensure that you indicate that your child is a Service child. If your school does not request this information please inform the school office that your child is a Service child.
I don’t want to tell the school because my child may be singled out.
If the school is not aware that your child is a Service child the school will not be able to claim the additional funds available to help to provide additional support for your child.
Does this apply to the children of Reserve personnel?
No. The Service Pupil Premium is only being given for the children of Regular Forces personnel. Reservists are not subject to the same high level of mobility and are more likely to have support through being permanently settled in their community.
How can I find out what the Service Pupil Premium is being used for in my child’s school?
If you wish to know what the money is being spent on then you should approach the school, either directly or through the Governing body.