Pupil Premium Funding is allocated by the government to schools to support specific groups of children who are vulnerable to underachievement.   This government initiative targets extra money at pupils who come from backgrounds that might be deemed to be disadvantaged. The premium is provided in order to support these pupils so they may reach their potential.

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Eligibility for the Pupil Premium from April 2012 is for any pupil who has been entitled to Free School Meals (FSM) in the last six years. In addition, pupils who are ‘looked after’ by the authority (LAC) or whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces are also entitled to the premium.

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The number of children identified as disadvantaged is below the national average. 16% of pupils in the school fall under this classification compared to 25% nationally (2016)

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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 settings. Schools however, will be accountable to outside agencies, mainly Ofsted, to show how the Pupil Premium has enriched the children’s personal and academic achievements within the school.

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At Hurworth Primary School we believe in supporting all children to do as well as they can, both socially and academically.  In addition, we believe in supporting our families with issues that may impact on the children’s achievement and well being.

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Whilst we welcome Pupil Premium Funding we also recognise that prior to this specific funding we have always strived to support our children as best we can. Because of this, the ways in which we are using the funding are not necessarily new initiatives but rather a continuation of the good practice which was already in place.

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We have identified three key areas on which we focus to improve outcomes for pupils eligible for pupil premium funding.

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• Support for learning – To enable pupils to attain at least age related expectations and/ or make good progress in reading, writing and maths.

 

• Support for social development – To enable the child to be ready for learning by providing targeted support for behaviour, self-esteem and emotional well-being.

 

• Support for the curriculum – To ensure that pupils are able to access all aspects of the curriculum, including educational visits and residential trips, by providing financial support.