What is Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium is additional funding given to publicly funded schools in England to help with improving the progress and raising the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. The allocation is based on the number of pupils who receive – or have received – free school meals. This is based on research showing that children from low income families may perform less well at school than their peers. Schools also receive funding for looked-after and previously looked-after children.

At St Mary’s we use national research, information about best practice; and monitoring and evaluation to identify barriers to learning for disadvantaged pupils in our school. We then employ the funding to try to minimise these barriers and maximise pupils’ progress. We used a tiered approach, targeting the quality of teaching; targeted support for learning; and wider, sometimes non academic approaches, where appropriate.

Applying for free school meals is a confidential process and the Office staff can help you with any information you require.

How are we using the Pupil Premium at St Mary’s?