What is Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is funding which is additional to the main school budget to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils of all abilities to enable them reach their potential and to close the gaps between them and their peers.  It is allocated to schools based on the number of pupils who have been eligible for free school meals (FSM) at any point over the last six years, Looked After Children  (LAC) and children whose parents are currently in the armed forces.  The aim is to improve outcomes and therefore life opportunities for children from these vulnerable groups.  The Pupil Premium is intended to address inequalities by ensuring that resources reach the children who need it most, whatever their academic ability.

The DfE gives schools the freedom to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit, based upon their knowledge of their pupils’ needs, although schools  are accountable for the use of this additional funding.

‘It is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium, allocated to schools per FSM pupil, is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility.’  (DfE)

At Wincheap, we strive for the best possible outcomes for all of our pupils.  The Senior Leadership Team, Governors, Pupil Premium lead and all members of the teaching staff monitor the attainment and progress of children very carefully.  Rigorous pupil progress tracking enables us to identify any children, including those eligible for Pupil Premium, who are at risk of falling behind, or indeed have the potential to excel.  Regular pupil progress reviews, where all children's progress is discussed, allow us to put intervention strategies in place and monitor their impact to ensure Pupil Premium funding is being used effectively to maximize progress and attainment for disadvantaged pupils.  Pupils identified as not making expected progress are rapidly identified and strategies put in place to address under performance.  Where additional support is deemed necessary, Pupil Premium funding is frequently used to increase the opportunities that we are able to offer.  The work of our pastoral and attendance team supports this through close liaison with families and work with individual children.

Funding is predominantly targeted at the improvement in attainment and progress in English and Maths as well as pupil well-being, but Wincheap School recognises the need to provide a varied and stimulating curriculum to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.  We strive to achieve this through our rich topic-based creative curriculum which is enhanced by strong provision in the arts and through forest school and a range of extra-curricular activities.

Please read the information below which gives details of our Pupil Premium Grant and how we allocate the funding.