Benenden Church of England Primary School

Pupil Premium

What is Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is a government initiative that targets extra money at pupils from deprived backgrounds. Research shows that pupils from deprived backgrounds underachieve compared to their non-deprived peers.

At Benenden Church of England Primary School our vision is for those pupils eligible for Pupil Premium (PP) funding to achieve better than the average for “all” pupils nationally by the time they leave at the end of Y6.

All members of staff and the governing body accept responsibility for ‘socially disadvantaged’ pupils and are committed to meeting their pastoral, social and academic needs within a caring and nurturing environment. We hope that each child will develop a love for learning and acquire skills and abilities commensurate with fulfilling their potential and as an adult finding employment. 

Pupil Premium funding at Benenden Church of England Primary School will be used to: 

  • Support the relentless drive throughout the school to raise  attainment of PP - eligible pupils so that we diminish the difference between the school’s PP pupils and all pupils both within school and nationally
  • Accelerate progress for PP pupils
  • Increase parental engagement with their child’s education and with the school
  • Improve attendance
  • Increase opportunities for PP pupils and broaden their experiences

‘The government believes that the Pupil Premium, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their wealthier peers by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most.

In most cases the Pupil Premium is allocated to schools and is clearly identifiable. ‘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.’ (DfE website)

Who is eligible? 

  • Pupils eligible for free school meals

  • Children in care who have been looked after continuously for more than 6 months

  • A service premium is also available for children whose parents are serving in the armed forces.

In the financial year 2022-2023, pupil premium funding will be £1385 per pupil and £2410 for children who are looked after, adopted or leave care under a Special Guardianship Order or Residence Order.

What is the school’s allocation of Pupil Premium Funding?

2021-22

2022-23

 2023-2024

£31,935

£30,110

£37,450

What percentage of our pupils are eligible Pupil Premium Funding?

The figures for Pupil Premium Eligibility are taken from the January census. At this time, we had 12% of pupils on roll who were eligible for Pupil Premium Funding. All of these were identified under the Ever6 category, (i.e. in receipt of Free School Meals at any point in the past six years).

What was the Pupil Premium Funding spent on in the academic year 2022-2023?

  • Attendance and Punctuality, transition to KS3  

  • Resources to meet the individual needs of pupils including Speech and Language Therapy

  • Quality First Teaching and intervention – training and support e.g. Times Table Rockstars, Numbots,  Accelerated Reader,  Wordshark 

  • Wellbeing Support - ELSA Time, Play Therapy, Fegans Counselling, Rainbows Bereavement, Lunch-time nuture group, Mindfulness

  • Financial assistance to ensure inclusion and enrichment i.e. contributions towards school trips

  • Funding to attend Breakfast Club and After School Clubs

  • Reading Interventions i.e. Dancing Bears, Lightning Squad, library book investment etc.

  • Forest School Activities and Outdoor Learning Resources

  • Diagnostic Assessments

  • PSHE Scheme and resources - SCARF

  •  

 What is the Pupil Premium strategy document? 

The Pupil Premium strategy document shows our priorities for the forthcoming academic year as well as reviewing last years aims and outcomes. 

Pupil Premium Strategy Document

Evidence suggests that pupil premium spending is most effective when schools use a tiered approach, targeting spending across the following 3 areas below but focusing on teaching quality - investing in learning and development for teachers.

The 3 areas are: 

Teaching

Schools arrange training and professional development for all their staff to improve the impact of teaching and learning for pupils.

Academic support

Schools should decide on the main issues stopping their pupils from succeeding at school and use the pupil premium to buy extra help.

Wider approaches

This may include non-academic use of the pupil premium such as:

  • school breakfast clubs

  • music lessons for disadvantaged pupils

  • help with the cost of educational trips or visits

  • speech and language therapy

Schools may find using the pupil premium in this way helps to:

  • increase pupils’ confidence and resilience

  • encourage pupils to be more aspirational

  • benefit non-eligible pupils

 

When is our Pupil Premium strategy reviewed?

Our pupil premium strategy will be reviewed in July every year, with a mid-year budget review in February.  

Is my child eligible for Pupil Premium Funding?

In September 2014, the Government introduced ‘Universal Free School Meals’ for all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. However, it is important that parents/carers of children in these year groups still apply (through completing a very short form!) for free school meals if they think that they may be eligible, so that the school receives pupil premium funding for them.

If you would like to find out more about whether your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium funding, please speak enquire via the school office.

office@benenden-cep.kent.sch.uk