What is Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium is additional government funding given to schools so that they can support their disadvantaged pupils and close the attainment gap between them and their peers. The Pupil Premium is allocated to children from families who are currently known to be eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) in mainstream schools and Looked After Children (LAC). A premium has also been introduced for children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces. This service premium is designed to address the emotional and social well-being of these pupils.
“It is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium is spent, since they are best placed
to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their
responsibility”. (DFE)
Bentham Community Primary School Pupil Premium Principles:
• We ensure that appropriate provision is made for those children who are eligible for pupil premium funding.
• We recognise that not all pupils who receive Pupil Premium Funding will be socially disadvantaged.
• Likewise, not all pupils who are socially disadvantaged are registered or qualify for Pupil Premium Funding, we aim to provide additional support as necessary for these children from the school’s delegated budget and not from Pupil Premium Funding.
• We carry out rigorous diagnostic assessments to identify the particular needs of those children eligible for pupil premium funding; both academic and social and emotional.
• These rigorous diagnostic assessments are not exclusively limited to those children who are in receipt of pupil premium funding but are part of a whole school approach to meet the needs of every child.
What does the school spend the money on?
Each year, we plan how this money will support Free School Meal pupils (FSM) and Looked After Children (LAC) and also importantly, evaluate its impact. A recent report by The Sutton Trust revealed which types of support and interventions are most beneficial and the school has taken these into account when deciding the best use of the additional pupil premium funding.
How much funding does the school get?
A report detailing this for 2022-2023 including the allocated Recovery Premium is found below.
In 2021-2022, the school received £62,870, (+ £4100 Catch-up funding) a report detailing how this money was spent is found below. An evaluation of this expenditure is also found below.
In 2020-2021, the school received £41,660, a report detailing how this money was spent is found below. An evaluation of this expenditure is also found below.
Oversight of Pupil Premium allocation is via a named Governor in conjunction with the Co-Headteacher, Mrs Alison McGregor.
Allocation, organisation and impact are monitored closely by the SENCO/Headteacher.
How has this had an impact in our school?
The school is able to offer a wider range of intervention support for pupils which is addressing gaps in learning at all stages of the ability spectrum, including the most able.
Regular and close tracking of pupils, including the vulnerable groups, takes place to ensure early intervention and support to enable all children to achieve their full potential.
