Pupil Premium

Pupil Premium funding

The government introduced Pupil Premium funding in April 2011 with the aim of bridging the gap between the disadvantaged pupils and their peers. They believe that the Pupil Premium, which is in addition to the main school’s funding will address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) and their wealthier peers.

 

Principles

• We ensure that learning and teaching opportunities meet the needs of all pupils
• We ensure that the needs of all of learners are carefully assessed on a regular interval in particular the needs of socially disadvantaged pupils
• We ensure that appropriate provision is in place for those students who belong to vulnerable groups
• In making provision for socially disadvantaged students, we recognise that not all students who are socially disadvantaged are registered or qualify for free school meals
• We use the Pupil Premium funding to support any student or group of students who the academy has identified as socially disadvantaged
• The type of provision will depend on the identification of the need for the priority student or group of students.

Pupil Premium / Ever 6 Provision Map

We track the provision for each child on the Pupil Premium through a provision map where we record how the students are supported.  These include:

• TA support received in class
• Small intervention group work or 1 to 1 sessions within Inclusion
• Participation in the nurture
• Access Arrangements
• Support from external agencies (counselling, targeted services, TAF, Links support and outreach work etc.)
• Attendance at clubs; sports and music etc.
• School trips
• Participation in the Wow Weeks if these is generative a cost for parents

Pupil Premium / Ever 6 Provision

All pupil premium students access:

• High quality teaching in the classroom
• Support in accessing extra – curricular activities which require extra support and funding

Provision targeted at year groups or across year groups

Transition from primary to secondary

Summer school, extended transition mornings, part funded residential trip

Support for end of year school events

Pupil Premium funds are used to enable PP students to take part in the community celebration events of their time at Harpenden Academy, .i.e. attend the leaving celebration, external reward trips  and buy the year book

Support for school trips

Trips are offered at a reduced rate for all PP students

Music Lessons

Music lessons, exam costs and sheet music are offered free for any PP student who wishes to participate

Teaching Assistant’s (TA’s) in class

Many PP students benefit from TA support in the classroom to ensure they participate fully in lessons and supported to access the concepts covered in the lessons and to work independently. 

Joint planning by the TAs and teachers- identified LSAs attached to individual faculties

Targeted to small cohorts within each year group or to individuals

Literacy Interventions

Talking Partners - a targeted intervention to support the communication skills of the PP students

One to One reading / spelling / handwriting / numeracy intervention

Small group lessons in the Learning Zone

Access to Wonder days and Wow Weeks

As part of our Creative Curriculum the children have either an external visitor or go on an external trip to enhance their learning. If these incur a cost then PP pupils have a reduced cost or the experience is paid for as it enhances their learning of curriculum subject.

We also have termly WOW weeks such as Science Weeks or Book Weeks and again if these create a cost for parents then PP children get this cost reduced or paid for from the PP grant as this again further their learning.

Behaviour for Learning

Nurture Group in Primary to support the social skills

Mastering Memory and Fine Motor Skills

PP students who have difficulties with their short term working memory or their fine motor skills are supported using one to one specialised programmes

Learning Portraits

Through setting up the Learning Portraits all members of staff acquire an in depth understanding of the students and strategies to support them in their learning

Counselling

Some students are supported through the counselling service, such as bereavement counselling to help them work through issues which impact on their readiness and capacity for learning

Data analysis

Regular analysis of data by the SENCO to track, monitor and identify underachievement

Attendance

In house attendance improvement officer to support the families and the students

Regular meetings with both parents and students

Home visits

External agencies

Utilisation of external professionals to run sessions for children in EYFS, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

Partnership with Links academy

Support from EP

Close liaison with family support workers