Pupil premium is funding to improve the educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in schools in England. Evidence shows that disadvantaged children generally face additional challenges in reaching their potential at school and often do not perform as well as other pupils.

In Sampford Arundel and Stawley Primary Schools, we regularly assess the needs of our children and evaluate the impact of provision funded by the Pupil Premium. This annual audit then allows us to use the funding strategically to improve attainment, drawing on evidence of effective practice. 

Evidence shows that using pupil premium funding to improve teaching quality is the most effective way to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. By doing so, schools will inevitably benefit non-eligible pupils as well. As a school, we use a tiered approach, targeting spending across 3 areas, with a particular focus on teaching. 

1. Teaching

Investing in high-quality teaching, for example:

• training and professional development for teachers
• recruitment and retention
• support for teachers early in their careers

2. Targeted academic support

Additional support for some pupils focussed on their specific needs, for example:

• one-to-one tuition
• small group tuition
• speech and language therapy

3. Wider approaches

• Support for non-academic issues that impact success in school, such as attendance, behaviour and social and emotional challenges. For example:
• School Uniform which makes children feel part of the team and is comfortable
• counselling to support emotional health and wellbeing
• Access to off-site trips at no cost to the family
• Fair Access to resourcing

Please click here to be directed to the following website: Pupil Premium Information for Schools

Is my child eligible for Free School Meals?

All children at Key Stage 1 access a free lunch through the government's Universal Free School Meals Scheme. 

This is different and separate from Pupil Premium Free School Meals (PPFSM), which provides funding for their education as well as free meals. Your child may be entitled to PPFSM if you get any of the following:

• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Child Tax Credit Only (with income up to £16,190) with no element of Working Tax Credit
• National Asylum Seekers Support
• Guarantee Element of the State Pension Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
• Universal Credit (income dependant)