Pupil Premium
Background
Pupil Premium money is allocated to school through the local authority. It is based on the number of children who have been eligible for free school meals (FSM) at any time in the last six years, children who are in care and those whose parents are in the armed forces. Research shows that children from deprived backgrounds underachieve compared to their non-deprived peers. The premium is provided in order to support these pupils in reaching their potential. School has the freedom to spend the pupil premium money, which is additional to the underlying schools budget, in a way it thinks best to support the raising of attainment for the most vulnerable pupils. School is accountable for narrowing the gap and data will include the attainment of pupils who receive the pupil premium compared with their peers.
Pupil Premium Strategy 2024/25 (Including Review of Outcomes in Previous Year)
Principles
At Featherstone All Saints CofE Academy, we believe every child is unique and special, with individual needs and talents. We are dedicated to supporting each child in reaching their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally within a nurturing environment.
We recognise our collective responsibility—teachers, support staff and governors alike—to support pupils who may face social or economic challenges. Our commitment is to ensure that all socially disadvantaged pupils are valued, respected, and given every opportunity to thrive, regardless of background or circumstance.
Our Pupil Premium funding is targeted at reducing attainment gaps between disadvantaged pupils and their peers, providing the support necessary to overcome barriers to learning. While this funding is often associated with children eligible for free school meals, we understand that not all such pupils are socially disadvantaged, and not all socially disadvantaged pupils are eligible for free school meals. We, therefore, reserve the right to use Pupil Premium funding flexibly to support any child or group identified as needing additional assistance.
The allocation of Pupil Premium funding will be based on a thorough needs analysis and informed by evidence-based interventions to prioritise classes, groups, or individuals who will benefit most. Given limited resources, we acknowledge that not all children eligible for free school meals will receive Pupil Premium interventions at all times.
We will carefully monitor, review, and evaluate the impact of Pupil Premium-funded strategies on pupil progress and attainment to ensure accountability and effective use of resources.
What is the Pupil Premium Grant?
The Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) is additional funding allocated to schools to help close the attainment gap for children identified as the 'most disadvantaged.' It is designed to ensure these pupils receive the extra support needed to reach their full potential.
Who is Eligible for Pupil Premium?
The government defines disadvantaged pupils as those who:
- Are currently eligible for free school meals (FSM) or have been eligible at any point in the past six years.
- Are looked after by the local authority.
- Have been adopted from care.
- Belong to Service families.
In addition, schools also consider support for pupils who, although not factored into PPG funding calculations:
- Have ever had a social worker.
- Have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
Funding for Academic Year 2024-25
For the 2024-25 academic year, the PPG provides:
- £1,455 per disadvantaged pupil.
- £2,530 per child who is looked after or adopted from care.
How Can Schools Use the Pupil Premium?
Schools have the flexibility to allocate the PPG in ways that best support their pupils.
1. Teaching
- Investing in staff training and professional development to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
2. Academic Support
- Identifying barriers to learning and providing targeted interventions to help pupils overcome them.
3. Wider Approaches
- Supporting personal development and well-being through:
- Breakfast clubs.
- Music lessons.
- Assistance with educational trips.
- Speech and language therapy.
These strategies aim to enhance pupils' confidence, resilience, and aspirations, benefiting not only eligible pupils but potentially the wider school community.
Accountability and Reporting
Schools must report annually on how the Pupil Premium Grant is spent. This includes publishing:
- A Pupil Premium Strategy Document outlining the planned use of the funding.
- An Impact Statement reviewing the effectiveness of these measures on pupil achievement.
This ensures transparency for parents and carers, while allowing governing bodies to evaluate the school’s evidence-based approach to supporting disadvantaged pupils.
Pupil Premium Proposed Spend including review of previous year outcomes.
Pupil Premium proposed spend 2021/22
Pupil Premium proposed spend 2022/23
Pupil Premium proposed spend 2023/24
Pupil Premium proposed spending 2024/25
