At Midhurst Rother College, we believe that students who join us who are eligible for Pupil Premium should make progress in line with, or more than, their peers. Our approach to Pupil Premium supports the school’s curriculum intent: our students leave with the skills and qualifications to thrive. By teaching exceptionally well and delivering education with character we bring out the Best in Everyone. This means that we ensure all funding available is utilised to remove as many barriers to education as possible.
Our Pupil Premium strategy ensures that research-based approaches to improving teaching and learning happen across all classrooms, while data – drive decisions surrounding intervention are in place. Our tiered approach to strategies implemented through the funding of the Pupil Premium grant has been recognised by the Education Endowment Fund (EEF), and focuses on
- Excellent Teaching
- Targeted Support
- Effective wider strategies
What is the Pupil Premium?
Pupil premium is funding allocated from the government to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in schools in England. Pupil Premium Funding is specifically to assist children who fall into at least one of the following groups:
- Pupils in years 7 to 11 recorded as Ever 6 FSM as well as eligible children with no recourse to Public funds (NRPF)
- Looked-after children (LAC) defined in the Children Act 1989 as one who is in the care of, or provided with accommodation by, an English local authority.
- Children who have ceased to be looked after by a local authority in England and Wales because of adoption, a special guardianship order, or child arrangements order (previously known as a residence order).
- Pupils in year groups reception to year 11 recorded as Ever 6 service child or in receipt of a child pension from the Ministry of Defence.
What can we spend this money on?
Schools are free to spend the allocated funds as they deem most appropriate to support eligible pupils’ attainment and education. At Midhurst Rother College, we allocate funding based on an understanding of individual pupils needs, local context and evidence-based research.
The EEF has developed research led approaches to help schools identify the best strategies to ensure students in receipt of Pupil Premium funding achieve their highest standards. Their work is a highly recommended source of information. Several other institutions have also researched the challenges facing students from disadvantaged families. These publications include reports from: The Sutton Trust (Cracking the Code), The Fair Education Alliance, The Social Mobility Commission, Tackling Child Poverty (West Sussex):
Many of the reports’ findings are common knowledge among schools. Reports encourage schools to invest in best practice, which includes the following points:
- Promote quality first teaching to close literacy and numeracy gaps.
- Provide students with a broad educational experience.
- Promote skills that enable self-supported study.
- Low-income pupils benefit from peer group effects by staying in class where teaching is of high-quality.
- Attainment will frequently precede aspirations.
- Good attendance is vital for disadvantaged students to make good progress.
- Schools must promote knowledge and understanding of factors affecting disadvantaged students.
- Pupil progress is highest for pupil premium and all students when staff have high standards and expectations.
Our Pupil Premium strategy and impact statement can be seen at the link below and is reviewed termly. The statement clarifies our current funding allocation and reviews the impact of last year’s spending to support the progress, achievement and well-being of eligible pupils.
More information about claiming the Pupil Premium (PP) or free school meals
Parents can apply for the Pupil Premium (even if they don’t want to take up free school meals), as this funding can assist your child in many other ways, from extra tuition, to assistance with books and materials. Application for Free School Meals can be accessed here: https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/schools-and-colleges/free-school-meals/
In order to benefit from this extra funding, please contact the Business Manager, Mrs Kath Chard (Katherine.Chard@mrc-academy.org) or the Pupil Premium Lead, Mrs Leanne Wallis (Leanne.Wallis@mrc-academy.org)
Pupil Premium Strategy 2024 - 2025