Pupil Premium Funding at St. Mary’s
The Pupil Premium is an allocation of additional funding provided to schools to support specific groups of children who are vulnerable to possible underachievement. These include pupils who are entitled to free school meals, those looked after by the local authority and children of armed service personnel. The intended effect of this funding is to accelerate progress and raise attainment.
In most cases the Pupil Premium is allocated to schools and is clearly identifiable. It is for schools to decide how the Pupil Premium, allocated to schools per FSM pupil, is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility.
All schools are required to report on the amount of funding received, how this is being used, and the impact of any work done.
In 2023/24 academic year St Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy received £19,375 in Pupil Premium funding.
In 2024/2025 academic year St Mary's Catholic Voluntary Academy received £7400 in Pupil Premium funding.
This was, and continues to be used as follows:
To provide intervention programmes for underachieving pupils
To employ additional teachers and teaching assistants who provide a targeted level of support to some of our most vulnerable children so as they can make the progress expected of them.
To provide one-to-one and small group tuition for some pupils.
The impact of this work was evident in:
Improved attainment at the end of Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two.
Increased and sustained attendance across school.
We may use this money to subsidise educational visits, including residential trips, for example by funding transport or board and lodgings. For some children this has a huge impact on their self-esteem and confidence. All matters regarding the use of Pupil Premium funds are treated with discretion and in confidence.
For more information on the Pupil Premium, please visit:
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/pupilsupport/premium