Arbor works out some of a student's background indicators for you, based on what you record on their profile. This guide explains the difference between recorded and derived information, how each derived indicator is calculated, and how FSM dates change them. For official Pupil Premium funding figures, always use your Pupil Premium file from the DfE's Get Information About Pupils (GIAP) site.
What is a derived indicator?
Standard background information is what your school records on a student's profile. Arbor stores it as you enter it. A derived indicator is worked out by Arbor from that recorded information, so it updates when the recorded information changes and is not directly editable.
For example, you record a Targeted FSM period with an End date. Arbor then works out Ever 6 FSM and Pupil Premium Eligible from it.
You record standard background information like:
- FSM eligibility periods, each with an FSM Category
- Looked After (In Care) status
- Service Child status
Arbor works out derived indicators like:
- FSM
- Ever 6 FSM and Ever 6 Service Child
- Pupil Premium Eligible
- Disadvantaged
Where can I check derived indicators?
You can see derived indicators in the Derived Background Indicators section of student profiles.
For a list of students, go to Students > Demographics > Derived Indicators, then select Background.
How specific indicators are worked out
The following derived indicators are marked as "Yes" on a student's profile if they meet the listed conditions.
- FSM: The student has an open FSM period of any category. See: Managing the 2026 changes to Free School Meals (FSM) Eligibility
- Ever 6 FSM: The student has an open Targeted FSM period or a historic Targeted FSM period that ended less than 6 years ago. Expanded FSM and Other FSM never count, but if the student has a Targeted FSM period that ended within the last 6 years, they are still Ever 6 FSM. See: Managing the 2026 changes to Free School Meals (FSM) Eligibility
- Ever 6 Service Child: The student is a current Service Child or has Service Child status with an end date within the last 6 years. See: Add and remove a Service Child status on a Student Profile
- Pupil Premium Eligible: The student has Ever 6 FSM, Ever 6 Service Child, an open Targeted FSM period (ages 5 to 15), current Service Child status, or any Looked After status. Students in Year 12 and above are not flagged. See: Pupil Premium Eligible vs Pupil Premium Recipients and uploading Records from Get Information about Pupils (GIAP)
Pupil Premium Eligibility is a derived indicator that should not be confused with Pupil Premium Recipients. While Pupil Premium Eligibility is derived and not directly editable, Pupil Premium Recipient status is updated through a Get Information About Pupils import; this means these numbers may not always match.
More on the difference between the two here: Pupil Premium Eligible vs Pupil Premium Recipients and uploading Records from Get Information about Pupils (GIAP)
- Disadvantaged: The student has Ever 6 FSM or has been Looked After. Expanded FSM, Other FSM and Service Child do not count.
Why don't my Pupil Premium Eligibility numbers match the census or GIAP?
- Timing: Arbor's indicators show today's position. DfE funding is based on the census data returned on census day. A student can be a Pupil Premium Recipient without still being Pupil Premium Eligible in Arbor.
- Census uses your FSM claims, not the indicators: the School Census sends each student's FSM claims and categories. The DfE works out Pupil Premium from these, not from Arbor's indicator tags.
- Leavers: the Pupil Premium Recipients list includes students who have since left. The derived indicators only show students on roll.
For official figures, we therefore advise always using your GIAP Pupil Premium file.
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