Pupil Premium

 

Whiston Worrygoose  recognises that all pupils, regardless of their background, should have equal access to a curriculum which will enable them to reach their potential. The pupil premium is a Government initiative that targets extra money to pupils from deprived backgrounds, which, research shows; underachieve, compared to their peers.

The Government have used pupils entitled to free school meals as an indicator for deprivation, and have deployed a fixed amount of money to schools per pupil, based on the number of pupils eligible for free school meals.   Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children and those of Armed Service Personnel are also eligible for this increased funding. The Government are not dictating how schools should spend this money, but are clear that schools will need to employ the strategies that they know will support these pupils to increase their attainment, and ‘narrow the gap’ between their attainment and the attainment of other pupils.

The identified barriers and challenges for our children are:

 

• Although attainment upon entry into FS2 is broadly typical, a significant number % of pupils start school with language and number skills that remain lower than their counterpart

• Disadvantaged children’s wellbeing is poor and the households in which they live have poor aspirations and employment rates are low

• More able disadvantaged pupils do not achieve as well as more able non-disadvantaged pupils

• Impact on children returning to school following Covid-19 and school closure

• Disadvantaged children’s attendance rates are traditionally not as high as their non-disadvantaged peers

• Many pupils do not have access to additional opportunities that are needed to provide a rounded education which leads to limited cultural capital and enrichment - lack of experiences limits language and understanding. Our curriculum intent is rooted in the belief this matters.

• A lack of metacognitive strategies and resilience – we have analysed the qualities we see in our successful and less successful learners

 

In EYFS speaking, listening and communication skills are supported through quality first teaching, diagnostic assessment,  targeted intervention identified and outside agencies support where necessary.  To measure the achievement of our disadvantaged children we have a rigorous approach to assessment.   Termly cohort pupil progress meetings monitor the progress of disadvantaged pupils alongside a termly disadvantaged pupils meeting.   A monthly attendance meeting is held and early intervention takes place.  A  yearly impact review of the pupil premium spending plan is carried out.

 

Our next date to review our Pupil Premium Strategy is September 2025