Tankersley St Peters C of E Primary School recognises that all pupils, regardless of their background, should have equal access to a curriculum which enables 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 main barriers and challenges for some of our disadvantaged children are as follows. These challenges are addressed in our Pupil Premium Grant/ Action plan at the bottom of this page:
- Speaking, listening and communication skills and early language below average on entry to EYFS
- Identified barriers to learning where do not always achieve as well as non-disadvantaged pupils – in Reading, Writing and Mathematics
- Well-being may be compromised and the households in which they live may have poor aspirations and employment rates are low. Some families face generational unemployment.
- Attendance rates on average are not as high as their non-disadvantaged peers – some disadvantaged pupils are at risk of becoming Persistent Absentees
- Disruption to learning following Covid-19
In EYFS speaking, listening and communication skills are supported through intervention. We have a robust synthetic phonics programme where children are screened regularly and a phonics catch up programme for any learners at risk of falling behind. Ensuring all our pupils including disadvantaged pupils can read before entering KS2 is paramount.
For all disadvantaged pupils – quality first Wave 1 teaching is a daily consideration through carefully tailored planning and teaching.
In addition to this, rapid Wave 2 support through diagnostic assessments, targeted intervention programmes, pre and post teaching sessions are put in place early including tutoring through the government funded NTP programme to close key learning gaps.
The SENCO and teachers work closely with external agencies to ensure Wave 3 support is secured and some disadvantaged pupils have additional programmes to support their learning need (e.g The Big A for ASD need.)
To measure the achievement of our disadvantaged pupils we have a rigorous approach to assessment. Termly Pupil Progress meetings allow the opportunity to discuss learning gaps and progress for our disadvantaged pupils. Our monitoring overview allows close observation and scrutiny of learning in relation to disadvantaged learners to ensure they remain on track.
Attendance meetings are held weekly and early intervention is put in place for families of disadvantaged pupils where attendance is an issue.
A yearly impact review of the pupil premium spending plan is carried out.
PUPIL PREMIUM GRANT ACTION PLAN 2023/24
PUPIL PREMIUM GRANT ACTION PLAN 2022/23