At WHS, we are deeply committed to supporting our pupil premium students through a robust and academically enriching curriculum, paired with a wide range of opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos; every child is seen as unique, and we strive to help each one celebrate and develop their individuality. Our targeted learning approach, combined with exceptional pastoral care, ensures that pupil premium students are now achieving more than ever before. We are proud to be a school where every child truly matters, regardless of their starting point or background, and where every student is empowered to succeed.
What is Pupil Premium?
Since 2011, the Pupil Premium has been the Government’s principal strategy to help schools improve the learning and opportunities of disadvantaged pupils, reducing the attainment gap and in doing so, reduce educational inequality.
Pupil Premium includes children who have been eligible for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years (the Ever 6 measure) and children who have left the care system through adoption, residence orders or special guardianship orders. Additionally, the Service Premium grant is for pupils who have a parent serving in the armed services
Pupil Premium is £985 per FSM Ever 6 secondary pupil and £2,410 for Children Looked After and Post CLA (adopted). The Service Premium is £320 per pupil.
The Department for Education publishes a document on the Pupil Premium for 2023-2024 and the conditions of the grant which is available to view here: Pupil premium: allocations and conditions of grant 2023 to 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Why is there a Pupil Premium?
Students who have been eligible for Free School Meals at any point in their school career have consistently lower educational attainment than those who have never been eligible.
How is the impact of the spending of the Pupil Premium measured?
Our usual cycle of data collection and the monitoring and tracking of the cohort’s attainment is used to inform student progress and enable the early identification of need, support and appropriate intervention for all year groups.
Income
2015-16 £159,000
2016-17 £157,000
2017-18 £199,000
2018-19 £176,000
2019-20 £180,000
2020-21 £195,230
2021-22 £216,625
2022-23 £246,730
2021-22 £216,625
2022-23 £246,730
2023-24 £288,075
Use of the Pupil Premium in 2023-24
- Actions to provide targeted academic support – including maths intervention, one to one support, subject resources, trips, learning mentors, maths champion, achievement coach, RAP meetings, tutoring
- Actions focused on non-academic barriers social, emotional and behavioural issues – including family support work, one to one provision packages, and emotional wellbeing groups.
- Actions focused on enrichment beyond the curriculum – including extracurricular trips and visits.
- Actions focused on non-academic barriers such as families and communities – including family support work, outside agency support.
- Actions focused on supporting the quality of teaching and staff professional development.
- Alternative learning pathways and curricula – including extended work placements, training at external agencies.
The findings of the Education Endowment Foundation as to how the pupil premium can be most effectively used to raise achievement have been adopted by William Howard School as part of continued school improvement planning. There is a well-developed CPD programme with regular information on teaching strategies via INSET, research groups, teaching and learning briefings and coaching triads.