The Pupil Premium is a Government initiative that provides additional funding on top of the main funding a school receives. It targets students from disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure they benefit from the same opportunities as other students who do not face educational barriers. Schools have an obligation to demonstrate effective use of this additional funding. It must be understood, however, that ‘one size does not fit all’ – a strategy that works with one student may not work with another. Ultimately, decisions regarding how to use the PP funding for educational purposes rest with the school leadership team.
Disadvantage can manifest in a range of ways. It can be financial or it can be linked to other social factors experienced by the child such as having spent time in local authority care or having a parent in the armed forces. However, whatever the cause, the barrier to academic progress caused by disadvantage is well-researched and proven.
At Redmoor Academy, all staff work hard to ensure Pupil Premium students are achieving in line with their peers. We have high aspirations and ambitions for all our students and we believe that no child should be left behind. Indeed, it is a passion for knowledge and dedication to learning that ensures students reach their full potential – regardless of other circumstances.
We have a team of staff who hold specific Pupil Premium responsibilities:
Jessica Pickering – Pupil Premium Coordinator & Head of P.E. (coordinator of PP strategy and provision with oversight of PP spending and impact / Previously Looked After Children ) jpickering@redmooracademy.org
Rebecca Wilson – Assistant Principal (strategic vision for PP students, Looked after children) rwilson@redmooracademy.org
Katie Seabrook – Pupil Premium Mentor (delivering PP provision)
katieseabrook@redmooracademy.
At Redmoor Academy, we closely monitor the educational progress, health and well-being of all our Pupil Premium students to ensure early identification of any issues. Targeted support is offered to individuals alongside other entitlements received by all PP students. Our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement provides more detail about the barriers faced, how the grant is spent, the action we are taking to raise achievement and the impact of our strategies over time. We are continuously monitoring that the premium is being spent in a way that best supports student achievement.
Eligibility for Pupil Premium (Free School Meals)
If you receive any of the following, your child may be entitled to claim free school meals and consequently the Pupil Premium funding:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit – if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
You can also find relevant information and apply for free school meals through Leicestershire County Council and this link: LCC Free School Meals Information and Application Form.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about Pupil Premium funding and how it is being used to benefit your child, please contact Mrs Pickering: jpickering@redmooracademy.org