At St Finbar’s Catholic Primary School our primary aim is to ensure that all children are able to access all aspects of the school’s provision in order to achieve the highest standards of achievement and the greatest possible progress possible in relation to children’s individual starting points. Pupil Premium is funding provided to schools which is additional to main school funding. It is allocated according to the number of children on-roll who are eligible for free school meals (FSM), a smaller amount is also allocated according to the number of children of service families, and an allocation for each pupil who has been ‘Looked After’ (in care) for 6 months or more. In 2012, funding was extended to include children who have been eligible for free school meals within the past 6 years. 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 children within their responsibility. However, schools are to be held accountable for how they have used the additional funding to support children from low-income families. Please see below for information regarding how the pupil premium was spent in the last financial year and the plans for future spending.
Objectives for Pupil Premium
- The pupil premium funding will be used to provide additional educational support to improve the progress and to raise the standard of achievement for children disadvantaged by barriers to learning.
- The funding will be used to narrow and close the gap thus ‘diminishing the difference’ between the achievement of these children and their peers.
- In line with its Equal Opportunities Policy the school will use the additional funding to address any underlying inequalities between children eligible for pupil premium which causes potential barriers to learning and others.
- We will ensure that the additional funding reaches the children who need it most and that it makes a significant impact on their education and lives.
Main Barriers to Learning
Some of our children start school well below national expectations as a result of limited experiences from birth, often stemming from vulnerable families. In order to address children’s development gaps we direct a range of resources, interventions and strategies for both children and Parents/Carers. Barriers and challenges faced by some of our disadvantaged children are many and varied. They often increase in complexity as the children get older, for example:
- Poverty
- Vulnerable parenting – dysfunctional home: mental health, domestic violence, poor basic skills, unemployment, drugs and alcohol.
- Poor nutrition
- Poor language/communication skills
- Immature development socially, emotionally and physically
- Challenging behaviour
- Poor self-esteem/lack of confidence (children and Parents/Carers) resulting in low expectations and aspirations.
- Limited life experiences and access to everyday opportunities e.g. visiting the park, library etc.
- Limited involvement in school and Poor attendance
- Lack of access to technology/sports/clubs etc.
- Low IQ, specific learning/health needs which have not been identified/accepted by families resulting in delayed intervention and support e.g. ASC
5 main areas have been identified for ‘diminishing the difference’ in 2019/20
- Continue to improve attendance and punctuality in order to significantly decrease this as a barrier.
- Increase staffing to impact on diminishing the difference for children in receipt of PPG.
- Enhance pastoral support in order to increase self-esteem and positive behaviour.
- Provision of enhanced extra-curricular opportunities in sports and music etc. and access to school trips in order to provide equality of opportunity.
- Measurably improve outcomes in English and maths by targeted support and additional provision of staff for SEND and non-SEND groups
- Measurably improve outcomes in English and Maths for high and middle prior attaining pupil premium children by Pupil Premium Impact Statement 2018-2019 and Strategic Action Plan 2019-2020
Pupil Premium Grant 2022 – 2023
Accountability
The Headteacher and other members of the Senior Leadership Team will regularly and rigorously monitor, evaluate and review the strategies we have put into place for pupil premium and report to its governing body on its progress and impact.
Important: Even if your child gets a free meal in the Infants you should still apply as we do not get the pupil premium funding without the application.
A copy of the Free School Meals application will be included in your induction pack, once your child starts school.
UK Government website
Pupil premium for primary schools