Pupil Premium – What is it and what is it for?
As you are probably aware, the Government give funding to schools for all children entitled to free school meals. This is a significant amount of money and we would encourage everyone who is entitled to Free School Meals to apply for them, even if your child prefers packed lunch. There are other added benefits, Pupil Premium being one. More information on Free School Meals is available from the school office.
The Department of Education say:
“It is for the schools to decide how the Pupil Premium is allocated, as they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for individual pupils.”
The school has been able to use this funding to ensure that those pupils make good progress, as well as children working at a higher level of attainment. Examples of which are:
· Additional teachers for one to one and small group intensive teaching.
· Additional Teaching Assistant support.
· Subsidised school visits.
· Extended school support in the form of after school clubs, residential visits and equipment.
· Therapeutic support through school counselling services.
Research has found that disadvantaged pupils have been worst affected by the impact of the pandemic. It is therefore more important than ever that school strategies focus on support for disadvantaged pupils.
The Department for Education has released updated pupil premium guidance and a new template that schools are required to use to publish their strategy statement from the 2021/22 academic year onwards. This includes a new requirement for schools to demonstrate that they have considered evidence when developing their strategy.
The EEF’s updated Pupil Premium Guide is a practical guide to support schools to develop their pupil premium strategy based on the best evidence, and to meet updated DfE requirements.
Key principles
The Pupil Premium provides important support to contribute to the attainment of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. Hartburn’s Pupil Premium strategy is founded on the following principles and practices:
· A tiered approach to Pupil Premium spending to help balance approaches to improving teaching, targeted academic support, and wider strategies.
· School leaders focus on a small number of priorities each year in areas that are likely to make the biggest difference, with a focus on effective implementation.
· The approaches adopted are selected on the basis of strong external evidence. School leaders consider a broad array of external evidence to inform their decision making, to enhance the expert knowledge they have of the pupils in their care.
· The Pupil Premium strategy is embedded within a broader strategic implementation cycle, such as the one set out in the EEF Implementation Guidance Report.