Funding

The Downley School is part of the ODBST Multi Academy Trust.  Academies receive funding directly from the government and are run by an academy trust. The government uses the national funding formula (NFF) to work out the school's 'notional' core funding allocation. However, the school’s actual allocation is based on a local funding formula from the local authority (Buckinghamshire).

Academies also receive funding outside the general annual grant. These will include:

• Pupil premium funding (See below)
• PE and sport premium (See PE section)

 

Pupil Premium Grant at The Downley School

Our senior leader responsible for our Pupil Premium funding is Jo Perrottet.

Please contact our office if you would like to make an appointment.

Contact: office@thedownleyschool.co.uk  / 01494 527 033

The Pupil Premium Grant, introduced by the government in 2011, provides additional funding to improve the educational outcomes of disadvantaged pupils in publicly funded schools across England, including The Downley School. A dedicated member of our Senior Leadership Team manages the provision for pupils receiving this funding, while school leaders are responsible for deciding how best to allocate it. Our approach is regularly reviewed, and progress is reported to the school governors, who hold senior leaders accountable for both the use of the funding and the academic progress of disadvantaged pupils.

At The Downley School, we have the flexibility to use Pupil Premium funding to support whole-class interventions. These interventions are designed to benefit all students, including those who do not qualify for the funding but still require additional support. It is important to note that this funding is not allocated as an individual budget for each pupil.

Pupil Premium Grant is allocated based on the number of pupils in Reception to Year 6 who are:

• Eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) or have been eligible in the past 6 years (FSM Ever 6).
• Previously Looked-After Children (PLAC): pupils who were in local authority care before being adopted or who left care on a special guardianship or child arrangements order, including those adopted from state care outside England and Wales.
• Looked-After-Children: pupils who are in a local authority care

For each child registered, for 2024-25 the school will receive:

• £1480 for pupils in Reception through to Year 6
• £2570 for pupils who have left local authority care through adoption/special guardianship order/child arrangements order/residence order
• £340 for pupils Reception to Year 6 recorded as Service child or in receipt of a child pension from Armed Forces Compensation Scheme or the War Pensions Scheme

Your child or children can get a Free School Meal if you, your partner or the child is receiving one of the benefits below:

• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA(IB)) - Not JSA (Contribution based)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA(IR) 
• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) that does not exceed £16,190.
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

If you have recently become unemployed or have reduced your working hours and have been granted the four week working tax credits run on, then you may be entitled to free school meals. 

In order to apply for Free School Meals please do so online at Buckinghamshire Council’s website.

Or please enquire at our office at: office@thedownleyschool.co.uk