What is Pupil Premium?

The pupil premium is an allocation of funding provided to schools to support children who may be vulnerable to underachievement.  The amount received is dependent on the number of children who are known to be eligible for free school meals.  All schools are required to report on the amount of funding and how this is being used. The pupil premium is funding allocated to schools for the specific purpose of boosting the attainment of pupils from low-income families. Funding is based on children who have registered for a free school meal at any point in the last 6 years, children that are in care or adopted and children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces.

Why has it been introduced?

The Government believes that the Pupil Premium, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between disadvantaged children and their peers by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most. Whilst schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit we are required to publish online information about how we have used the Premium and the impact it is having.

How can it be used?

Pupil premium can be used in a wide range of ways that can enhance the learning and experiences for children. Such as:

• Extra one-to-one or small-group support for children within the classroom.
• Employing extra teaching assistants to work with classes.
• Running catch-up sessions before or after school, for example for children who need extra help with maths or literacy.
• Providing extra tuition for able children who receive the pupil premium, for example in preparation for SATs.
• Funding educational trips and visits.
• Paying for additional help from outside agencies
• Investing in resources that enhance children’s learning, such as laptops or tablets.

How do we raise Attainment and Achievement for all pupils?

• At William Gilbert School we organise teaching and learning to meet the needs of all children in the best way possible so every child has an equal opportunity to reach their full potential.
• We ensure that appropriate provision is made for children who belong to vulnerable groups and that socially disadvantaged children have their needs adequately assessed and met.
• We understand the importance of ensuring that all day to day teaching meets the needs of each learner. We ensure that intervention is purposeful and maximises potential.
• We recognise that not all children who receive free school meals will be socially disadvantaged and we also recognise that not all children that are disadvantaged have free schools meals.  We reserve the right to allocate Pupil Premium Funding to support any child the school has identified as being socially disadvantaged.
• We will allocate Pupil Premium Funding after a needs analysis to identify priority groups and individuals; focusing particularly on Mathematics and English.
• Equally we focus on nurturing children to have a positive attitude about them as a learner and increasing their self-belief and esteem through targeted groups.
• We use achievement data to check whether interventions or techniques are working and adapt teaching and learning accordingly.
• Plan enhanced curricular opportunities such as school visits, residential trips, extra curriculum activities.
• We plan personalised learning opportunities through one to one tuition; additional small group interventions
• Research to discover those most effective and purposeful interventions. 

How do we monitor the effective provision through pupil premium funding?

• Target groups assessed within regular school monitoring processes such as progress data and attendance data.
• Progress data analysed and shared.
• Monitoring of interventions and support recorded so they are allocated fairly.
• Annual Report to Standards Committee and Full Governors.

How do I know if my child is entitled to pupil premium funding?

• Please contact school if you think your child may be entitled to support through the Pupil Premium, this includes children who are adopted. All enquires will be treated in the strictest confidence.  For more details on the pupil premium please visit :-https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/education/schools/your-child-at-school/meals/school-meals/free-school-meals.aspx

Pupil Premium for adopted children

Please discuss with your class teacher or Pupil Premium Co-ordinator so we can work together to maximise your child’s pupil premium funding.

Pupil Premium Co-ordinator:

Name: Emily Davies

Number: 01332 840395

Email: sendco@williamgilbertend.derbyshire.sch.uk

Pupil Premium Governor:

Name: Mrs Katie Woods (Chair of Governors)

Number: 01332 840395