Pupil Premium

At St Mary’s CE Primary School we understand that the barriers and challenges faced by disadvantaged pupils are varied and complex. We support each child individually, ensuring that we meet their needs in order for them to thrive both socially and academically.

What is Pupil Premium?

  • Pupil Premium funding is additional funding provided by the government to schools to support eligible children and their families.
  • Its aim is to raise attainment for these pupils.
  • Schools receive £1,455 per primary aged pupil
  • Schools receive £2,530 per pupil for those who are looked after by the local Authority, those who have been adopted from care or have left care
  • Schools receive £355 per pupil for every pupil with a parent who is serving in HM Forces or has retired on a pension from the Ministry of Defence – this funding is to help with pastoral support.

Who is eligible?

Why should I apply?

  • Your child will have access to a range of benefits: free school run school clubs, free or reduced cost externally run clubs, free school trips, support in paying for school residentials, support in academic learning and free school meals and access to a device for remote learning (if required). We can also support families with access to the internet.
  • Application, eligibility and benefits for Pupil Premium are handled discreetly, confidentially and flexibly. For example, if you choose not to access Free School Meals, you may still wish your child to receive other benefits.
  • Each child eligible for Pupil Premium enables access to funding for six years following the successful application. With this additional funding comes additional expectations and accountability. We are rigorous in tracking the impact of this funding on our Pupil Premium children to ensure excellent outcomes.

How can I apply?

  • Complete the above Eligibility Form and return to the school office (let us know if you would like a paper copy) or you can check your eligibility for Pupil Premium and Free School Meals using this link: Free School Meals checker
  • If you are at all unsure or have any questions, contact the school office who will be glad to help. Alternatively, please contact Dan Cadman, Deputy Headteacher, at deputyheadteacher@st-marys.richmnond.co.uk

How does St Mary’s use Pupil Premium funding?

Evidence suggests that Pupil Premium spending is most effective when schools use a tiered approach, targeting spending across three areas, with a particular focus on teaching.

Investing in high-quality teaching, for example:

  • training and professional development for teachers
  • recruitment and retention
  • support for teachers early in their careers
Additional support for some pupils focused on their specific needs, for example:

  • one-to-one tuition
  • small group tuition
  • speech and language therapy

Support for non-academic issues that impact success in school, such as attendance, behaviour and social and emotional challenges. For example:

  • participation in clubs
  • Cultural Capital experiences, such as visiting galleries, cathedrals or sporting events
  • counselling to support emotional health and wellbeing
  • help with the cost of educational trips or visits
  • The Pupil Premium Grant received by schools for each child is not a personal budget for individual children; schools, therefore, are responsible for utilising the funding where they feel it will have greatest impact.
  • Pupil Premium does not need to solely benefits eligible pupils. Schools can use it to support other pupils with identified needs. For example, on pupils who do not get free school meals but have or have had a social worker or act as a carer.

Pupil Premium Reporting

  • Schools are required to report annually on the impact of their Pupil Premium grant.
  • St Mary’s Pupil Premium Strategy Statement (including a review of the previous year) can be found below:

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2023/2024 to 2025/2026

Recovery Premium

For the 2022-23 academic year, the government are giving schools a recovery premium to support education recovery following the pandemic. Building on Pupil Premium, this funding will help schools support disadvantaged pupils. Reporting of the school’s use of this funding can be found in the Pupil Premium Strategy Statement (see above). Schools receive £145 for every pupil eligible for the Pupil premium Grant.

PE and Sport Premium

In March 2013 the Government announced that it would provide additional funding to primary schools to support the improvement of provision of PE and sport. The funding is ring-fenced and can only be spent on PE and sport in primary schools. The premium must be used to fund additional and sustainable improvements to the provision of PE and sport. It is to benefit primary-aged pupils and to encourage the development of healthy, active lifestyles.

Please read last year’s PE and Sport Premium Report (including details on end of Key Stage 2 swimming attainment) here: PE and Sport Premium Report 2022-23