Key Principles for the use of the Pupil Premium at Catshill Middle School
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The school never confuses eligibility for the pupil premium with low ability, and focuses on
supporting disadvantaged pupils to achieve the highest levels.
The school thoroughly analyses which pupils are underachieving, particularly in English,
mathematics and science, and why.
The school drew, and draws upon, evidence from its own, and others' experience in order to
allocate funding to activities that are most likely to have an impact on improving
pupils' achievement.
The school uses achievement data regularly and robustly, to check whether interventions or
techniques are working and makes adjustments accordingly. The school does not simply use
data retrospectively to see if something has worked.
The school ensures that a designated senior leader, Head of School, plus the Executive
Headteacher and governors, have a clear overview of how funding is allocated. They review the
difference it is making to the outcomes of pupils on a half-termly basis.
The school ensures that class teachers and support staff know which pupils are eligible for the
pupil premium so that they can take responsibility for accelerating progress.
The school successfully uses pupil premium funding to tackle a range of issues, e.g. attendance,
behaviour, confidence, resilience, reading, factors outside of school, professional training for
staff on helping disadvantaged pupils, effective teaching and learning, literacy support, targeted
support, further enrichment and so on.
The impact of the use of pupil premium funding is always measured and reviewed and Ofsted (May
2014) noted:
“In 2013, however, a progress gap developed in reading. Overall, the attainment of eligible pupils was
approximately a year behind that of the others. The school’s current information shows that in reading,
writing and mathematics in most year groups, the gap is now closing again.”
The Governing Body has spent (during previous academic years) and is
spending (during the current academic year) the school's Pupil Premium
funding in the following ways:
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Employing additional staff to provide extra support for Pupil Premium pupils.
Funding an Intervention Manager post to overview and account for the Pupil Premium pupils.
Purchasing additional resources to support English and mathematics for Pupil Premium pupils.
Providing 1 to1 tuition support and catch-up programmes.
Paying for supply costs for key staff to attend Early Help meetings to support Pupil Premium
pupils.
Paying for transition projects for Pupil Premium pupils.
Creating and extending the role of nurture support targeted at Pupil Premium Pupils.
The Governing Body rigorously monitors the progress of disadvantaged pupils and the impact of the
school's Pupil Premium spending. This is done on a termly basis.
Pupil Premium: Progress of Disadvantaged Pupils – closing gaps at CMS @ KS2
Pupil Premium: Attainment of Disadvantaged Pupils v All – closing gaps at CMS @ KS3 after 4 Years
Pupil Premium: Progress of Disadvantaged Pupils v All – closing gaps at CMS @ KS3 after 4 Years
What we have done to close gaps
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Creation and continuation of an Interventions programme to oversee the progress of all
pupils receiving pupil premium including more able.
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Creation and continuation of a Pupil Premium Champion to support disadvantaged
pupils in and out of school.
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Funding to create and maintain the school’s specialist nurture provision for pupils
including disadvantaged pupils, including training for staff to support behaviour
management, self-esteem training, circle of friends, healthy lifestyles and safe choices,
mentoring etc.
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Additional resources purchased for maths & English (on-going) to support
disadvantaged pupils, including More Able disadvantaged pupils.
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Funding to set up and maintain 1 to 1 interventions in maths and English.
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Increased TA support in targeted groups.
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Renaissance Reading set up and continued for all PP pupils.
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Increased Academic Guidance for disadvantaged pupils with a focus on closing the
gaps and supporting More Able disadvantaged pupils.
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CAFs & Funded Early Intervention Family Support Worker now based at CMS & helping
to improve home school partnership with disadvantaged pupils benefitting greatly.
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Continuing highly effective welfare support targeted at PP attendance.
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On-going funding for school trips, equipment & to improve participation in lessons and
outside for disadvantaged pupils.
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Y4/5 transition projects to support pupils whose circumstances make them vulnerable &
disadvantaged pupils in their move to Catshill. This involved the creation of, and
subsequent maintenance of, transition projects with the high school. This helps to
support pupils during their final year at CMS and includes staff from CMS working
with high school staff.
Impact
Pupil Premium funding is enabling the school to close gaps for Pupil Premium pupils compared to non
Pupil Premium pupils nationally and non Pupil Premium pupils by the time they leave the school. As a
result, they are now doing better and gaps are closing. The school would also not have a specialist
nurture support room or designated Pupil Premium Champion without this funding.
The Governing Body
April 2015
Pupil Premium Funding Received
2011/12 - £16917 (actual)
2012/13 - £39049 (actual)
2013/14 - £60219 (actual)
2014/15 - £89840 (actual)
2015/16 - £93,205 (estimated)