What is Pupil Premium?

The pupil premium is additional funding given to publicly funded schools in England to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers.

The pupils in this group include all children who have been eligible for free school meals at any point in the past 6 years and children who have been looked after for 6 months or longer  

School priorities/Aims

Guided by our Catholic ethos, Blessed Trinity are fully committed to equality and to developing the talents and abilities of all the pupils in our care.

From September 2014 we have appointed an Assistant Headteacher to continue our drive to improve the achievement of children in the pupil premium group.

Our aims are that:

• the proportion of pupil premium pupils who make expected progress, in the core subjects of English and Mathematics, matches that of their peers

• the proportion of pupil premium pupils who attain 5 good GCSE passes, to include English and Mathematics, matches that of their peers

• all pupil premium pupils to achieve a positive progress 8 score

And whilst at school we will look to ensure these pupils have:

• improved attendance/punctuality.

• increased enjoyment/engagement of the school curriculum.

• increased participation in a range of extra-curricular activities, clubs, trips etc.

• well informed parents/carers able to support their child’s progress at school

Pupil Premium Allocation

Pupil Premium Funding 2013/14 £259,200 plus £21,000 to support Year 7 pupils with low attainment on entry.

Pupil Premium Funding 2014/15 £306,630 plus £19,000 Year 7 Catch Up Funding 2014/15

Pupil Premium Funding 2015/16 £338,520 plus £16,000 Year 7 Catch Up Funding

Estimated Pupil Premium Funding 2016/17 £364,430 plus £500 per pupil for Year 7 Catch Up Funding

How do we decide where the money is spent?

Our guiding principle is to direct the pupil premium funding towards initiatives that will have the greatest impact on achievement. The use of data, on academic performance as well as possible barriers to learning such as attendance, homework, equipment and behaviour, will continue to steer the allocation of funding.

Targeted interventions and support are based on a needs analysis which has helped identify priority classes, groups or individuals. Teachers are also able to apply for funds to help students both in and outside of lessons.

After each academic year an evaluation of the cost effectiveness, in terms of impact upon pupils’ academic performance is carried out to ensure efficient use of pupil premium funding.

Spending

Blessed Trinity twice yearly reviews its pupil premium strategies and how funding is spent.

In September, relevant data drives the review, responding to evidence gained in order to direct action planning for the forthcoming year.

In February, the review is focussed on staffing in preparation for recruitment, retention and deployment of staff in the forthcoming new academic year.

The core vision for spending ensures that all pupil premium pupils have access to:

• Nurture group provision including the Emerald Room Programme

• Additional pastoral support including a counsellor and a learning mentor

• Improved vocational opportunities for vulnerable learners

• English and Mathematics support at Breakfast Club

• Business mentors for GCSE Mathematics tuition in Year 11

• Additional staffing for pupil support

• More specific intervention strategies for identified learners

• Maths, English and Science intervention classes.

• Smaller class sizes for key subjects.

• Literacy catch up at KS3.

• Accelerated Reader - reading intervention programme and reading groups.

• After school English Intervention KS4 focusing on Literacy Skills.

• Access to funding for extracurricular school trips

• TA for supporting/mentoring through KS3 and KS4

• Counselling to support pupils.

• After school Homework club for all year groups

2016/17 Proposed Spending

• Staff costs associated with the development of a data tracking and intervention team

• Maths, English and Science intervention classes.

• Targeted support for individuals, small groups and teachers based on enhanced data tracking.

• Smaller class sizes for key subjects.

• Literacy catch up at KS3.

• Accelerated Reader - reading intervention programme and reading groups.

• After school English Intervention KS4 focusing on Literacy Skills.

• TA Salaries for supporting/mentoring pupils through KS3 and KS4

• Counselling to support pupils.

• English and Mathematics support at Breakfast Club

• After school Homework club for all year groups.

Impact on Educational Attainment – Summer 2014

Impact on Educational Attainment – Summer 2015

Impact on Educational Attainment – Summer 2016

Improving Achievement Document (PDF)