Pupil Premium Update

Overarching Principles

The Government's introduction of the Pupil Premium is in complete accord with the school's mission statement " We educate our children in a Catholic community with Christ at the centre.’." It also re-inforces the Catholic Church's social teaching which implores us always to pursue the "preferential option for the poor" in practical ways. Consequently, all members of staff and governors accept responsibility for those pupils recognised as 'disadvantaged’ and are committed to meeting their pastoral, social and academic needs.

Every child who is considered to be ‘disadvantaged’ is valued, respected and entitled to develop to his/her full potential, irrespective of disadvantage.

Background to the Pupil Premium

Introduced in April 2011, the Pupil Premium is a Government initiative that provides additional funding aimed at pupils from deprived backgrounds. Research shows that pupils from deprived backgrounds underachieve compared to their non‐deprived peers. The Pupil Premium is provided in order to support these pupils in reaching their potential by accelerating their progress.

The Government has used pupils entitled to Free School Meals and those who are looked after as an indicator for deprivation. They have given a fixed amount of money to schools per pupil, based on the number of pupils registered for Free School Meals and who are looked after by the local authority. A premium has also been introduced for children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces. This service premium is designed to address the emotional and social well-being of these pupils.
Overall Objectives:

•Our school will ensure that the Pupil Premium funding reaches the groups of pupils for whom it was intended and that it makes a significant impact on their education and lives.
•The Pupil Premium will be used to provide additional educational support to improve the progress and raise the achievement for these pupils.
•The funding will be used to narrow and close the gap between the achievement of these pupils and their peers.
•The school will use the additional funding to address any underlying inequalities between children eligible for Pupils Premium and others.