At Knutsford Academy, we adopt our 'Beehive' strategies which are grounded in research and evidence informed practice. We believe these approaches to teaching and learning and supportive relationships benefit all pupils but, as the research suggests, have an even greater impact on outcomes for those who are disadvantaged.
Although the proportion of disadvantaged pupils at Knutsford Academy is proportionally well below the national average, we are relentlessly ambitious in removing barriers for our disadvantaged pupils so that they can thrive and belong. We were very proud that the outcomes for our disadvantaged pupils in 2025 were amongst the top 25% nationally as recognised by the DFE.
The key outcomes of our Pupil Premium strategy are:
- To ensure that the attainment and progress of Pupil Premium pupils is in line with or better than their prior attainment.
- To enable all Pupil Premium pupils to access the curriculum through targeted Reading Intervention.
- To improve the attendance of Pupil Premium pupils and support them in participating fully in school so that they can thrive and belong.
Free School Meals
Free school meals are only available to children in Years 7 to 11. Students in Year 12 and 13 can enquire about the 16-19 Bursary option.
How do I apply for Free School Meals?
You can claim free school meals for each child who attends school in Cheshire East if you receive one of these benefits:
· Universal Credit with no earned income or with net monthly earnings less than £616.67
· Income Support
· Income based Jobseeker's Allowance
· Income related Employment Support Allowance
· Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
· The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
· Child Tax Credit - as long as you have a yearly household income of less than £16,190 (as assessed by HM Revenue and Customs) and do not get Working Tax Credit
· Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
If you meet the criteria outlined above, then you can apply for Free School Meals using the link below.
Free School Meals (cheshireeast.gov.uk)
Pupil Premium
Pupil premium funding is funding received by the school with the aim to support those pupils who are:
• Eligible for free school meals (FSM) now or in the last 6 years
• Looked after or adopted
• Children of Armed Forces personnel
The Pupil Premium Strategy for Knutsford Academy outlines the intended spending of the Pupil Premium funding.
Our strategy and spending is in line with the evidence which suggests that pupil premium spending is most effective when schools used a tiered approach, targeting spending across 3 areas, with a particular focus on teaching.
1. Teaching
2. Targeted academic support
3. Wider approaches
The full details of our intended spending based on the needs of our school can be found in the Pupil Premium Strategy.
Pupil Premium