Pupil Premium

OVERVIEW AND PRINCIPLES

It is our responsibility to ensure that all children in school achieve their potential and, in order to do so, we seek to meet the individual needs of every child.

• We ensure that teaching and learning opportunities meet the needs of all pupils.
• We ensure that appropriate provision is made for pupils who belong to vulnerable groups.  This includes assessing and addressing the needs of socially disadvantaged pupils and of children with high mobility.

PUPIL PREMIUM FUNDING AT ST JAMES'

• Support the relentless drive throughout the school to raise attainment of Pupil Premium so that we can diminish the difference between the school's pupil premium pupils and all pupils both within the school and nationally. 
• Accelerate progress for Pupil Premium pupils 
• Increase parental engagement with their child's education and with the school 
• Improve attendance 
• Increase opportunities for Pupil Premium pupils and broaden their experiences 

ST JAMES' ALLOCATION OF PUPIL PREMIUM FUNDING 

WHAT IS THE PUPIL PREMIUM STRATEGY DOCUMENT?

The Pupil Premium Strategy document shows our priorities for the forthcoming academic year as well as reviewing last year's aims and outcomes.  This can be viewed below.

Evidence suggests that Pupil Premium spending when school's have a tiered approach across the following three areas: 

1. Teaching

St James' arrange training and professional development for all their staff to improve the impact of teaching and learning for pupils. 

2. Academic support 

St James' decides on the main issues preventing their pupils from succeeding at school and uses the Pupil Premium to buy extra support. 

3. Wider approaches 

This may include non-academic use of the Pupil Premium such as breakfast club, music lessons, help with educational trips or visits, Speech & Language Therapy, increase pupils' confidence and resilience and encourage pupils to be more aspirational.  This may benefit non-eligible pupils as well. 

IS MY CHILD ELIGIBLE FOR PUPIL PREMIUM FUNDING?

In September 2014, the Government introduced 'Universal Free School Meals' for all children in Reception, Year 1 & Year 2.  However, it is important that parents/carers of children in these year groups still apply (through completing a short form) for free school meals if they think that they may be eligible, so that the school receives the correct funding for them. 

If you would like to find out more about whether your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium Funding please enquire via the School Office. 

MEASURING IMPACT

We collect data and monitor all pupils' attainment and progress.  This data is used to inform the needs of pupils, support and the appropriate intervention of our pupils including pupil premium.  The process includes:

• Pupil progress meetings held with SLT and class teachers on a regular basis.
• Published assessment materials and past SATs papers are used on a regular basis to support with assessments.
• End of Year Standardised tests are completed for Year 2 and Year 6 as well as phonics screening for Year 1 and (where necessary) Year 2.
• Targeted interventions have entry and exit data to measure impact.

STRATEGY REVIEW MEETINGS FOR PUPIL PREMIUM

Review meetings take place at least three times a year following pupil progress meetings.  Impact of any action is reviewed and then the funding is allocated for the next phase.  The school reviews all pupils across the school - there are some pupils who are not eligible for pupil premium who will fit into this group and benefit from the interventions.

Pupil premium funding and the impact of this is a regular item in Governor Meetings.

Designated Staff Member in Charge:   Mrs D West