The pupil premium is a Government initiative that targets extra money at pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, who research shows underachieve compared to their non-disadvantaged peers. The premium is provided in order to support these pupils in reaching their potential. The Government have used pupils entitled to Free School meals as an indicator for deprivation, and have deployed a fixed amount of money to schools per pupil, based on the number of pupils registered for Free School meals. The Government are not dictating how schools should spend this money, but are clear that schools will need to employ the strategies that they know will support their pupils to increase their attainment, and ‘narrow the gap’. Schools and academies are accountable for narrowing the gap, and school performance tables include new measures that show the attainment of pupils who receive the pupil premium compared with their peers.
In order to meet the above requirements, The West Park Academy will ensure that provision is made which secures the teaching and learning opportunities that meet the needs of all pupils. Our priority will be focused on ‘narrowing the gap’ for those pupils not on track to achieve the ‘expected standard’ at the end of Key Stage 2, or to make good progress. As part of the additional provision made for pupils who belong to vulnerable groups, the academy will ensure that the needs of socially disadvantaged pupils are adequately assessed and addressed through termly pupil progress monitoring.
In making provision for socially disadvantaged pupils, The West Park Academy recognises that not all pupils who receive free school meals will be socially disadvantaged. The academy also recognises that not all pupils who are socially disadvantaged are registered or qualify for free school meals. The West Park Academy has the right to allocate the Pupil Premium funding to support any pupil of groups of pupils the school has legitimately identified as being socially disadvantaged.
