The purpose of the Pupil Development Grant (PDG) is to improve the educational attainment of pupils from low income families and who are entitled to free school meals (eFSM). Schools are expected to maximise the use of this funding by introducing sustainable strategies which will quickly lead to improved outcomes for pupils entitled to free school meals.
At Black Lane we are committed to applying best practices from across Wales and beyond by:
1. Planning interventions that focus on improving the attainment of pupils from low income families, regularly monitoring pupils’ progress and evaluating the impact of the intervention.
2. Integrating plans for the effective use of the PDG into the School Development Plan, basing our practice on sound evidence and including them as part of a whole school strategy.
3. Balancing whole school strategies with targeted interventions to ensure that all learners entitled to free school meals benefit as individuals, whilst the whole school also develops its ability to support every learner to achieve their full potential.
Black Lane School receives an amount of money each year based on pupils who apply for Free School Meals. In 2025-2026 we have been allocated a total Pupil Development Grant of £33,350. We will use this money to support the identified pupils.
Black Lane School has a comprehensive plan to promote high expectations, attainment, progress and to remove barriers to learning for pupils entitled to this funding.
We have used the funding available to:
- Fund TAs to run literacy and numeracy intervention groups for pupils
- Provide TA support for learning in classrooms
- Provide support for 1:1 reading interventions
- To provide well-being support through ELSA
- To develop play opportunities and social skills for pupils
- Purchase targeted literacy, numeracy and ICT resources
For confidentiality reasons, a detailed breakdown of the plan is not published, as it may risk identifying individual pupils.
It is important that families apply for Free School Meals so that the child/ren receives the available funding they are entitled to, to support learning and reduce the impact of poverty. If successful:
- School will receive extra funding to help the child/ren in school with learning
- Families can access extra financial support such as Schools Essential Grant to pay for uniform, can access free music lessons and can claim costs for school residential trips
If you think you may be entitled to Free School Meals please apply using the following link:
https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/service/school-meals/free-school-meals
Eligibility for free school meals
Your child is eligible to receive free school meals (in maintained schools in Wales) if you or your child receive the following…
- Income Support (IS)*
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA)*
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance (IR)
- Child Tax Credit – providing you’re not entitled to Working Tax Credit with an annual total income below the HMRC set limit
- Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ – the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit – if you are working you must be earning less than £7,400 per year (£616.67 per month) to qualify for free school meals
Schools Essentials Grant
The Welsh Government funded School Essentials Grant is available to help towards the costs of a child’s school uniform and equipment, for those on a low income.
Grant amount
Children entering year 7 receive £200 and children in all other school years, from reception through to year 11, receive £125.
Eligibility
Any child eligible for free school meals, attending school in Wrexham, and in the following year groups is eligible for the grant:
- Entering reception class in primary school
- Entering school years 1 to 11
- In a special school, special needs resource base or pupil referral unit and are aged 4 to 15
All looked after children are also eligible, regardless of their free school meals status.
- Children receiving free school meals due to transitional protection arrangements will not be eligible.
- Children who are in reception class through to year 6, and only receiving meals under the universal offer, will not be eligible.
What the grant can be used for
The grant can be used to pay towards the cost of:
- school uniform
- school sports kit
- uniform for wider activities (for example sports, scouts and guides)
- equipment (such as school bags and stationery)
- specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin (such as design and technology)
- equipment for out of school hours trips (such as waterproofs for outdoor learning)
- laptop or tablet device
How will I receive the grant?
The grant is paid by BACS Transfer to your bank account.
Further questions
You can email [email protected] if you have any further questions about this grant.
Further Financial Support
If your child is entitled to Free School Meals, you may be able to access further financial support such as access to free music lesson as well as help towards residential school trips.
School will also receive funding to help your child’s learning in school.
It is important to claim what is available to give your child/ren the best opportunities and reduce the impact of poverty.