What is the Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is a grant given to schools to support children who may be vulnerable to under-achievement.  Schools receive funding for each child who is eligible.  A child is eligible for funding if there are, or ever have been, ‘Looked after children’ (LAC) or if they currently receive free school meals or have received free school meals at any time within the last six years (Ever 6 FSM).

Currently, schools receive £1,320 for each pupil in Reception to Year 6 who is currently receiving free school meals or who is identified as ‘Ever 6 FSM’.  Schools receive £1,900 for each ‘Looked after child’. 

Schools must publish pupil premium data, including the amount the school is currently receiving, as well as setting out how the pupil premium funding will be spent and the impact it is having on the attainment of eligible and other pupils.

Who is eligible for the Pupil Premium?

The government website (GOV.UK) explains that a child may be eligible for free school meals if his/her parents are in receipt of any of the following benefits:

• Income Support;
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance;
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999;
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit;
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190);
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit;
• Universal Credit.

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

Your child might also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:

• Younger than the compulsory age for starting school;
• In full-time education

 This does not include all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 who are eligible for Universal Infant Free School Meals.  This is a different scheme and parents receiving any of the above benefits must inform the school as the school may be able to receive additional funding.

Statement of Intent

At Bishop Ridley, we understand that every child is unique and aim to provide the best education possible to help all of our children to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or need. All members of our community are committed to meeting the pastoral, social and academic needs of our most vulnerable children, in an effort to close the gaps between these children and their non-disadvantaged peers.

Our Aims:

• At Bishop Ridley we try to ensure that teaching and learning opportunities meet the needs of all of our pupils.
• We ensure that appropriate provision is made for pupils who belong to ‘vulnerable’ groups; this includes ensuring that the needs of socially disadvantaged pupils are properly identified and addressed.
• We recognise that not all pupils who are socially disadvantaged are registered or qualify for free school meals. We try to use Pupil Premium funding to support any pupils who can be described as being socially disadvantaged.
• Pupil Premium funding is allocated following a needs analysis which identifies individuals; it is then used during the course of the academic year to support these children in a variety of ways;
• We acknowledge that other pupils may be supported alongside pupil premium pupils and will benefit from what is provided.
• We recognise that the needs of pupil premium pupils may not necessarily be academic, that they may be emotional, social, cultural or physical, and that we can use the Pupil Premium to address these needs.
• We strive to raise the aspirations of all pupils, by showing them what education can offer.  By teaching them about the wider world we try to show them what opportunities can be afforded by valuing education, that we are all learners and that success comes from hard work and dedication.

The progress and attainment of all pupils are tracked and monitored throughout the year and class teachers, along with the SENCO, will ensure that all pupils receive the support and intervention they need to continue to make good progress and meet the end-of-year expectations.