Pupil Premium

Important Documents

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2022-2023 Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2021-2022

What is Pupil Premium?

All schools receive additional income called the Pupil Premium.    This money is allocated by the government to help schools support children from low income families and children in care.

Pupil Premium is a Government grant given to all schools and academies for those students who

  • are currently eligible for free school meals
  • have been eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
  • ‘looked after children’, or those who have been a ‘looked after child’
  • have a parent serving in the Armed Forces

The purpose of the grant is to provide additional support to eligible students in order to reduce inequalities and narrow the gap in attainment between those students and their peers. Schools themselves can determine how they spend the funding, which best meets the needs of their students.

There is a large gap in the attainment of free school meals (FSM)/ looked after child (LAC)/post-LAC and non FSM/LAC/post-LAC in terms of the percentage who achieve 5 GCSEs at A*- C/9 – 4 including English and Maths. Pupil Premium money has been given to help schools close the gap.

It is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for individuals.

NHESCs vision goes beyond just narrowing this gap and we are determined to ensure that all students, irrelevant of background or prior attainment, have the qualifications and attributes necessary to succeed and reach their full potential.

How do we make decisions regarding the use of Pupil Premium?

At NHESC we are able to determine how best to spend PP funding on each student, in large part because of the communication with parents, students and other stakeholders and the rigorous manner by which we assess students on entry and monitor student academic progress and behaviours.

SLT and key staff are always available to attend meetings with external agency and mainstream school staff as and when required, ensuring that the impact of the PP spend is maximised. In making decisions regarding the usage of Pupil Premium funding, the following factors are taken into account:

  • Ensure that all Pupil Premium funds received are allocated in accordance with identified need
  • Ensure that all staff are aware of the funding allocation to

PP and PP+ students

  • Ensure that staff and students are aware of the funding availability and the process by which it is allocated through key worker and meeting with SLT
  • Ensure that all staff are aware of planned spend and agreed outcomes (impact) and therefore have high expectations for Pupil Premium students
  • That the impact of spend is evidenced through conversations with students, parents and other stakeholders, progress data and meetings.
  • Ensure we use the latest research and best practice to implement proven strategies to meet the needs of the students and ensure we narrow the attainment gap.
  • Regularly report on the use and impact of Pupil Premium money to the Management Committee, clarified through minutes of meetings and monitoring visits/conversations.
  • Encourage parents to apply for Free School Meals, in a supportive and sensitive way.

What do we spend the money on?

We have daily meetings where all Pupil Premium students are discussed with all staff. During these meetings, we identify strategies, share good practice and evaluate the impact of the additional support on progress.

  • Ensuring we understand and make the best use of the latest research and best practice to implement proven strategies to meet the needs of the students and ensure we narrow the attainment gap
  • All Pupil Premium students are allocated a member of staff to act as their key worker / mentor.
  • A range of Alternative Provision opportunities are provided for identified students
  • Additional 1:1 English and Maths tuition/resources
  • Targeted 1:1 support to improve students’ reading and spelling ages
  • Additional curriculum opportunities are provided to support learning
  • Subscription to additional online learning and support packages
  • A breakfast and hot brunch is provided on a daily basis
  • Additional resources provided for individuals on request, being identified by need
  • Opportunities to enhance learning within the curriculum, including offsite activities are made available
  • Cultural capital events
  • The Butterfly room (supporting positive mental health in schools)

Listed below are a range of strategies and support that are currently being/have been used to date to support Pupil Premium students.

Curriculum Support

  • Provision of additional 1:1 tuition for students who require extra assistance to reach their target grades at GCSE
  • Purchase of curriculum resources to improve students’ learning experience
  • Reading pens

Alternative Provision

  • Students are able to attend a range of alternative programmes of study, including Construction, College, Work Experience and more