Pupil Premium
Pupil Premium Information
The Pupil Premium was introduced in April 2011, and paid by means of a specific grant based on school census figures for pupils registered as eligible for FSM (Free School Meals) in reception to Year 11. This category now includes any child that has been registered for FSM in the past 6 years (known as “Ever 6 FSM”).
For looked after children the Pupil Premium is calculated using the Children Looked After data returns (SSDA903).
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.
The Pupil Premium is additional to main school funding and it has been used by our school to address any underlying inequalities between children eligible by ensuring that funding reaches the pupils who need it most. At Parc Eglos we ensure that teaching and learning opportunities meet the needs of all our pupils. This includes ensuring appropriate provision for pupils who belong to vulnerable groups. The DfE has given us the freedom to use the Pupil premium as we see fit, based upon our knowledge of our pupil needs. “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.”
However, we are accountable for the use of this additional funding.
In brief, schools can claim additional funds to support our pupils through the “Pupil Premium”.
Grant funding is available for children eligible for Free School Meals, children of Service personnel (regardless of current marital status) and, since 2014, children who have been adopted from care.
Objectives
The Pupil Premium has been used to provide additional educational support to improve the progress and to raise the standard of achievement for these pupils. We use assessment systems to track and enable thorough analysis of data (Reading, Writing and Maths) to identify pupils who are under achieving and address why. By directing resources and interventions that accelerate progress of eligible pupils we see progress made by these pupils. Class teachers use data to carefully track the impact of targeted spending (interventions, projects or pedagogy) on attainment and progress of eligible pupils.
The funding has been used to narrow and close the gap between the achievement of these pupils and their peers. The Governing Body at Parc Eglos is ambitious for pupils and closely monitors the school’s effectiveness in closing the gap between different groups of pupils.
As far as its powers allow, the school has used the additional funding to address any underlying inequalities between children eligible for Pupil Premium and others.
We have ensured that the additional funding has reached the pupils who need it most and that it has made a significant impact on their education and lives.
We are aware that under The School Information (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, Schedule 4, there is specified information which has to be published on our school’s website. Section 9 of this regulation requires schools to publish “The amount of the school’s allocation from the Pupil Premium grant in respect of the current academic year; details of how it is intended that the allocation will be spent; details of how the previous academic year’s allocation was spent, and the effect of this expenditure on the educational attainment of those pupils at the school in respect of whom grant funding was allocated”.
At Parc Eglos these funds are spent in many ways to support families entitled to the Pupil Premium funding, for example:
- Financial support towards additional costs of education such as trips and residential visits that enable these children to participate fully
- 1-1 support from Teaching Assistants where children are identified as needing additional support
- Small group work to enhance the children’s learning
- Resources for Children in Care/ Free School Meals children that enable and enhance their participation, in positive and interactive ways with their peers
Free School Meals
Free school meals are available to some children according to family income.
It’s important to register for entitlement to free school meals, even if your child has a packed lunch – this is so we can receive additional funding (called the pupil premium) which we can use to help your child. Please see below:
What you need to know:
Your child may be eligible for free school meals if you (or the child themselves in their own right) is in receipt of any of the following benefits.
- Income Support (IS)
- Job Seekers’ Allowance (Income-Based) and equal based Job Seekers Allowance.
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA-IR) and equal based Employment and Support Allowance.
- Child Tax Credit (CTC) with an Annual income of less than £16,190.
- Guarantee Element of Pension Credit (GPC)
- Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (IAA) Support
- Universal Credit
If you think your child is entitled to free school meals, you’ll usually need to fill in an application form supplied by your local council. Give your completed application to your child’s school and make sure you can show documentary proof of any support you are receiving.
Service Families
We request this information on entry and run updates every few years, could we please ask you to confirm with us if you fit the current Service personnel criteria (see below) either by letter or via email to enquiries@parc-eglos.cornwall.sch.uk. This money has helped us to start up and run the HMS Heroes Club and provide support that we would not be able to offer otherwise, more information about the Service Premium aspect of Pupil Premium can be found here.
- one of their parents is serving in the regular armed forces
- one of their parents served in the regular armed forces in the last 3 years
- one of their parents died while serving in the armed forces and the pupil is in receipt of a pension under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) and the War Pensions Scheme (WPS). (This will be submitted by the MoD on your behalf).
Children Adopted from Care
Since 2014 substantial funding is available to support children adopted from care in their school education (previously this was only available for children adopted after 2005 but has now been extended to include adoptions prior to that date).
If you would like to discuss this further with Mrs Jayne Banner, please contact her via the school office or by using head@parc-eglos.cornwall.sch.uk.
Children will be eligible if they have:
- left care under a Residence Order on or after 14 October 1991 (under the Children Act 1989)
- left care under a Special Guardianship Order on or after 30 December 2005 (under the Children Act 1989)
- been adopted from care (under the Adoption and Children Act 2002);