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Pupil Premium- Information for Families
The Pupil Premium Grant isn't just another pot of money; it's a vital government initiative designed to level the playing field for England's most vulnerable and disadvantaged students. This funding aims to bridge that gap, providing schools with the resources to give these students the targeted support they need to thrive.
At its core, the Pupil Premium is additional funding allocated to schools for specific groups of pupils. This includes:
"Ever 6 FSM" students: Children from low-income families who are currently eligible for FSM, or who have been eligible at any point in the last six years.
Looked-after children: Those who have been continuously looked after by a local authority for more than six months.
Post-looked-after children: Students who were previously looked after, including those adopted from care.
While schools have the flexibility to decide how to spend this money, they're held accountable for demonstrating its impact on student outcomes. For more information on our Pupil Premium Strategy please click here.
At St Dunstan's, our ambition for every student, regardless of their background, is boundless. We believe in nurturing and challenging each individual to unlock their full academic potential, become positive contributors to society, and confidently make their mark on the world.
Our approach to the Pupil Premium Grant is rooted in four key objectives:
Elevate Academic Achievement: We aim to boost the academic success of all disadvantaged pupils, celebrating their progress across every ability level.
Eradicate the Gap: Our relentless focus is on closing the attainment and progress disparities between our disadvantaged students and their peers.
Drive Social Mobility: We're committed to identifying and implementing strategies that genuinely enhance social mobility for our students.
Enrich Lives: We strive to expand cultural literacy and provide unparalleled enrichment opportunities, broadening their horizons.
While many of our school-wide strategies – like maintaining smaller class sizes, deploying dedicated support staff, and running comprehensive intervention programs – are funded through our main budget, the Pupil Premium allows us to go further. We strategically direct this additional funding towards targeted initiatives that directly benefit our most disadvantaged learners.
We recognise the national trend of lower attainment among FSM-eligible children, but at St Dunstan's, we refuse to accept it. We're dedicated to eliminating barriers to learning and progress through high-quality provision. It's crucial to remember that eligibility for Pupil Premium doesn't equate to low ability; our goal is to empower all disadvantaged children to reach their absolute highest potential.
We're proud to offer a comprehensive range of support, meticulously planned for the academic year, to ensure every eligible student has the resources they need:
Uniform Exchange Scheme: In partnership with our fantastic PTA, we provide a free uniform exchange, allowing families to acquire or swap items. Keep an eye out for specific dates this summer!
Specialist Equipment & Exam Preparation: We're launching a long-term loan scheme for essential specialist equipment and revision materials.
Financial Assistance for Uniforms: Recognising significant challenges, we offer a one-off payment of up to £70 per student to help with key uniform purchases. Applications for this support are available exclusively from June until the start of the academic year. We encourage families to apply before purchasing items for swift review and confirmation.
Peripatetic Music Lessons: Students receiving funding can apply for financial support to access peripatetic music lessons. Applications must be submitted within the first two terms of the academic year.
Curriculum Enrichment: Upon request, we provide support to subsidise and enable students to participate in curriculum-linked trips and other enriching opportunities.
In addition to these specific funded initiatives, we also provide the following support at no charge:
Resource Provision: Access to essential equipment packs and departmental resources, such as ingredients for Food Technology or art supplies.
Targeted Interventions: Support in English, Maths, and Science where appropriate.
Uniform Hub: Individual uniform items can be provided on a temporary basis, in discussion with parents/carers, with an expectation of return within an agreed timeframe.
Online Learning & Resources: Free access to Seneca Learning and other valuable online educational platforms and licenses.
Exam Preparation: Out-of-hours support and interventions for students in the lead-up to public examinations.
To apply for financial assistance please click here