Pupil Premium Funding

What is Pupil Premium?

 

Pupil Premium is additional funding introduced in 2011 to help schools close the attainment gap between pupils from low-income and other disadvantaged families, and their peers. If a pupil has been eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) at any point over the past 6 years or has been looked after for one day or more (Child Looked After), the school receives an amount per head within their budget. A provision is also made for pupils who have a parent in the armed services.

Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit. At West Coker, this funding isn’t allocated to the child; it is allocated to the school and as such is used on a variety of interventions and resources.

 

Rationale at West Coker Primary School

 

West Coker CofE VC Primary School is determined that all pupils are given the best possible chance to achieve their full potential through the highest standards of Quality First Teaching, focussed support, curriculum enrichment, and pastoral care. We believe the additional provision delivered through the Pupil Premium funding should be available to all pupils within school who we know to be disadvantaged and vulnerable, irrespective of whether they are eligible for the funding. Indeed, it should be noted, that many of the pupils identified as requiring additional levels of support are not necessarily those who fulfil the FSM eligibility criteria. There is no expectation that all Pupil Premium funded pupils will receive identical support and the allocation of the budget for each pupil feeds into the whole school budget. The school considers best ways to allocate Pupil Premium money annually following rigorous data analysis and the careful consideration of the needs of the pupils. 

 

High-quality inclusive teaching within the classroom is regarded as the most effective way to secure sustained improvements in student outcomes. Alongside this, meticulous pastoral care is necessary to assist students in overcoming social, emotional and behavioural barriers to success.

Please read the information below which gives details of our Pupil Premium Grant and how we allocate the funding.