What is Pupil Premium?

The pupil premium is additional funding given to schools to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers. The Government believes that the pupil premium is the best way to address current underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their non FSM peers, by ensuring the funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most. The government uses eligibility for free school meals as the main measure of deprivation at pupil level. Funding is also available for those children with parents serving in the Armed Forces.  Children who are under Local Authority Care or who have been previously Looked After, are also eligible for funding.  Conditions of Pupil Premium funding grant can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-allocations-and-conditions-of-grant-2020-to-2021/pupil-premium-conditions-of-grant-2020-to-2021 

 

Common barriers for disadvantaged pupils can be; weak language and communication skills, lack of confidence, more frequent behavioural difficulties, attendance and punctuality issues and less support at home.  There may also be complex family situations that can have an impact on children’s learning and progress.  The challenges are complex and varied, therefore, it is important that individual needs are identified and catered for as we are very clear that negative, outside influences are not an excuse for underachievement. 

 

At Our Lady and St. Gerard’s RC Primary School, there is a school-wide commitment to raising achievement for ALL pupils and a key objective for the use of the pupil premium grant is to close the gap between pupil groups. 

 

2020-2021

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) have recommended a tiered approach to targeting the attainment gap in 2020-2021.  

1. high-quality teaching for all, 
2. targeted academic support, and 
3. wider strategies to support pupils in the year ahead. 

 

Our tiered approach overview is outlined below.  Further detail can be found in our Pupil Premium Strategy. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aims and Strategies for 2019-2020

In 2019-2020 the school received £75,340 of funding.

In 2018-2019 the school received £79,516 for pupil premium funding.

 

Impact of Funding in 2018-2019

• WellComm support in Nursery has enabled 78% of pupils to reach age related expectations on WellComm (36% were ARE at the start of the year).  In Reception, WellComm support has enabled progression from 38% age related on WellComm on entry to 81% in June.

• 87.5% of children were at expected standard for Communication & Language in ELGs (an increase on last year – 85%).

• 73% of IDL users improved reading age by more than 6months.  82% of users improved spelling age by more than 6 months, with 18% improving by more than 1 year.

• Staff training has included Reading, Phonics, Assessment, Provision for SEN

• Learning Mentor in post: Pastoral sessions/intervention sessions (1:1 and group sessions) 31% of Disadvantaged children received regular Pastoral support for their needs

• PP children uptake in sports clubs: Y1 =86%, Y2 =67%, Y3/4 = 50%, Y5 = 71%, Y6 = 70%

• New reading scheme in place and used across the school.  Positive comments from parents and children on the books.  At KS1 76% of pupils met or exceeded the Expected Standard with 34% achieving Greater Depth Standard.  100% of PP pupils reached expected standard for Reading in KS1, 66% of PP children achieved expected standard in writing and 83% of PP children achieved expected standard in Maths.

• At KS2 74% (Above National) achieved Expected Standard, with 20% achieving the Higher Standard.  50% of PP children reached expected or above standard in reading.  50% achieved standard in writing and 50% in Maths.

• Parent workshops completed and very well attended – phonics Y1, DT

• Subsidised trips/experiences: China exchange – KS2, London Y6, Robinwood Y5, Class trips, Theatre company workshops

• Uniform support for families in need

• Family issues/Safeguarding issues are supported by the DSL and Pastoral Team.  This includes support for parents and their wider family on many occasions.