Pupil Premium Funding

Strategy and Impact

Background

The Pupil Premium Grant is allocated to schools to fund provision for disadvantaged pupils, to ensure they benefit from the same opportunities as other pupils. Those who qualify for free school meals (FSM) or who have received FSM in the last six years are eligible for pupil premium. In addition, the needs of other vulnerable children, such as those who have a social worker or who are young carers, may also be taken into consideration. From the academic year 2021 to 2022, schools  were in receipt of an additional Recovery Premium grant, to provide for additional needs resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Schools are responsible for the allocation of both amounts, and this spending is carefully managed to provide for the needs of all eligible children.

Aims

The strategic use of pupil premium will support us in achieving our aim of helping everyone achieve to their full potential. We do this by:

• Assuring the best possible delivery of learning experiences in the classroom, 'quality first teaching';
• Delivering a range of group and individual interventions designed to support those with identified needs, 'targeted support';
• Offering a rich and varied curriculum, including classroom lessons and other activities and experiences designed to engage and motivate pupils, raising their aspirations and creating a positive view of learning, 'curriculum enrichment'.

Principles

• to ensure that teaching and learning opportunities meet the needs of all our pupils;
• to make appropriate provision  for pupils in vulnerable groups;
• to ensure that the needs of socially disadvantaged pupils are adequately assessed and addressed;
• to recognise that the needs of pupils who receive free school meals are varied;
• to acknowledge that not all pupils who are disadvantaged are registered or qualify for free school meals;
• to allocate the Pupil Premium funding to support any pupil or groups of pupils identified as being disadvantaged;
• to plan interventions for groups of FSM and non-FSM children, where their needs are similar;
• to recognise that Pupil Premium provision also helps to create a learning environment more conducive to success for all.

How we evaluate our Pupil Premium Strategy: Measuring the impact of spending

Pupil Progress

Data is collected on the progress of all students each  term. This data is analysed by class teachers, phase leaders and the senior leadership team to identify the progress of whole cohorts, classes, key groups of students  and individuals. In Pupil Progress meetings, we use this data to identify students (including those eligible for pupil premium) who are not attaining age-related expectations or who are making slow progress from their starting points; this enables the early identification of need, support and appropriate intervention.

Each term, the school will evaluate the impact of actions taken, by looking at the data and will review the current provision for Pupil Premium and other groups of children.

Other Information

In addition to progress data for Reading, writing and maths, other information maybe taken into account in planning and in reviewing the impact of Pupil Premium spend. This includes attendance figures, behaviour logs and information about children’s well-being, which may be shared by members of staff, including class teachers and teaching assistants.

Annual Evaluation

The overall impact of the Pupil Premium Strategy is evaluated annually, taking into account this wide range of information; future decisions about spending will be based upon the outcomes of this evaluation, which guides us in considering what is working well and what we will change or introduce.

The designated staff member for Pupil Premium is Ms Lucy Nocher, Deputy Headteacher.

Our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement for  2023-24 Statement is published below.