Education
Service Child Pupil Premium (SPP)
Service Child Pupil Premium (SPP) is funding provided to a school to help support your child with pastoral support, learning and transition.
Every service child is entitled to SPP whilst their parent is serving, and for up to 6 years after service.
How to Claim?
Schools must register your child as a service child within the yearly census (January deadline). Once they are registered, the school can then claim the funding directly.
A school must disclose how the funding is spent, and it must not be combined with other pupil premiums managed by the local authorities.
What happens if a child moves schools?
Funding does not automatically transfer if your child moves schools. They must be re-registered at the new school and the funding will have to be claimed again.
School Admissions
It is useful to plan ahead when considering school admissions and get an application in as early as possible.
Even though the Armed Forces Covenant ensures you will be given a school place for your child on posting, it does not guarantee you will be given your school of choice.
It is recommended to research the schools in your area and contact the admissions team as soon as possible, informing them that your child is a military child. It is also advisable to keep a record of previous schools.
School Admissions are handled by your local authority, and you will either apply to West Northants Council or North Northants Council, depending on where you live.
If you live in Northampton, Daventry, or South Northants, you will be covered by West Northants:
If you live in Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough or East Northamptonshire, you will be covered by North Northants:
If you are unhappy with the school admissions outcome, the appeals process can be used to challenge the decision. It is important to be clear and concise on appeals documents. If you need support with this, your unit welfare team should be able to help.
Further Information
- The Service Children in State Schools Alliance and the Service Children’s Progression Alliance provide help, advice and support to teachers, schools and families.
- The Royal British Legion have created a best practice guide on Supporting Service Children in School in England.
- Visit the UK website for more information on the SPP.