Lawefield Primary School
Introduction
The Staff and Governors of Lawefield Primary School are totally committed to ensuring that provision is made which secures the learning and teaching opportunities that meet the needs of all the pupils so that all make maximum progress and reach their potential. Our school welcomes and shares the government’s aim of tackling all forms of disadvantage and working tirelessly to ensure inclusion and equal access for all learners.
We recognize that the pupil premium funding is allocated to children in receipt of free school meals and is a means of addressing some of the issues associated with social disadvantage and in particular, in narrowing and hopefully eventually closing any gap in attainment where this exists. In making appropriate provision for this we also acknowledge that not all pupils in receipt of free school meals are socially disadvantaged.
We also recognise that not all pupils who are socially disadvantaged are registered for free school meals. The Governors reserve the right to allocate the Pupil Premium Funding to support any pupil or groups of pupils the school has legitimately identified as needing additional support to achieve improved outcomes in learning and/or well-being.
Provision
Lawefield is committed to excellence and the maintenance of high standards. We offer a wide range of provision aimed at enabling all learners to enjoy and thrive in learning and achieve their best.
Rationale for decisions about provision
The rationale for resource deployment is decided by the school, based on the individual needs of all pupils. These are:
- Effectiveness and impact so that progress and achievement is maximized for every pupil
- Flexibility
- Fitness for purpose
- Value for money acknowledging appropriate accountability
- Equity
- Inclusivity
Pupil premium funding will be used in the first instance to support the learning needs of children in receipt of free school meals who need extra support, however, this provision may well also include other children who have been identified as vulnerable. Such decisions will be at the Headteacher’s discretion.
The Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher will monitor the attainment and progress of all pupils and decide which pupils need additional provision and what this provision will be in liaison with the teachers. We use on-going and fixed point assessments to identify children’s learning needs and plan next steps teaching. A range of additional support may be provided that is felt to best meet the child’s needs at the time.
We always seek to provide outstanding quality first teaching for all pupils. Timely, precision teaching intervention is also used to maximize pupils’ progress and attainment.
When considering the deployment and funding of additional support through pupil premium and other school budget monies, we take into account carefully the following options in order to maximize the impact for the pupil:
- Facilitating pupils’ access to education
- Facilitating pupils’ access to the school’s curriculum
- Support in addition to the provision made in the classroom e.g. specific programmes or targeted interventions
- Additional opportunities to enhance or complement the school offer e.g. After School Clubs and School Trips
Where it is considered that there is a need for alternative provision from external providers that complements the school’s offer, the Headteacher will agree this following discussion and advice from colleagues and other relevant sources.
Monitoring and Evaluating Provision
Once decided, additional provision is monitored session by session by those staff providing support. Adaptations are then made as necessary. The overall effectiveness and impact is evaluated termly usually through year group pupil progress meetings and this data is collated.
In evaluating effectiveness, a range of evidence is used including:
- Attainment and progress outcomes
- Feedback from staff, the child, parents and other professionals who may be involved
- Anecdotal, soft evidence relating to improved confidence, wellbeing, attitude, behaviour etc.
The governors’ Standards Committee will have a monitoring oversight of the use of Pupil Premium Funding and the provision it supports.
Reporting and Accountability
It will be the responsibility of the Headteacher, or delegated member of staff, to produce a yearly report for the Governors’ Curriculum Sub-committee on:
- The progress made towards narrowing the gap, by year group, for socially disadvantaged pupils
- The teacher assessment data we collect
- Comparative data for all none socially disadvantaged pupils by year group
Complaints
The DfE have indicated that parents/carers will be able to have input into plans regarding how their child’s needs are best met. Where a parent/carer is concerned regarding a child’s provision the Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher will meet the parent/carer and seek to come to an understanding and agreement about how the funding is best used for an individual.
Any allegation, complaint, disagreement or appeal regarding the deployment of Pupil Premium Funding will be considered by the complaints panel of Governors convened by the Chair of Governors, as necessary, for this purpose.
Key Documents
All schools in the country now receive Pupil Premium money. This money is allocated for each child on free school meals. Details of the amount we have received, how we have used it and its impact can be seen below. Our Pupil Premium strategy and policy will be reviewed every January.
