Pupil Premium and Catch Up Strategy

What is the Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is funding received by all schools from the Government. The amount given to each school is determined by the number of students who are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) and/or the number of children who have been Looked After (in care) for 1 day or more. Any student who has been adopted from care or who has left care under a special guardianship order, a residence order or a child arrangement order are also eligible for the Pupil Premium but only where such an arrangement has been declared to the school by the parent/carer.

There are also two other 'premiums':

Service Premium

Children who have been recorded as having a parent in the armed forces within the last six years are granted the Service Premium.

Catch-up Premium

This is a grant which was introduced in September 2012, and is for year 7 students who did not achieve age related expectations in English and Mathematics at Key Stage 2. This money is dedicated to funding intervention so that these students catch-up in English and Mathematics as soon as possible.

Why do schools get this extra money?

The Government believes that the Pupil Premium, which is additional to main school funding, is the best way to address underlying inequalities between children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) and their peers, by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most.

How must schools use this money?

Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit and provision supported by this funding may also benefit others (eg. enrichment clubs attended by a range of students and not just those on FSM). However, we will be held accountable for how we have used the additional funding to support pupils from ‘disadvantaged’ backgrounds. As a school we are also required to publish online information about how we have used the Premium. This will ensure that parents and others are made fully aware of the attainment of pupils covered by the Premium and the extra support that they receive.

Below are our latest Pupil Premium Strategy Statements along with the impact of the funding from previous years.

Strategy Intent

It is our overwhelming intention that disadvantaged student outcomes match those of their non- disadvantaged peers both locally and nationally; that when they leave The Bulmershe School they are as equally prepared for the challenges of life after formal education as their contemporaries across the nation. Our strategy is built to ensure an equity of opportunity in the classroom and beyond. Excellent teaching supported by excellent attendance are the pillars of this strategy.

Our strategy has been written in response to a diagnosis of our students' challenges and needs. Our evidence shows that on entry our cohort are diverse and numerous and therefore continued individualised analysis and support is essential. Mindful of this, there is also an understanding that improved attendance and better literacy will enable our students to achieve the best possible outcomes. 

The strategy follows an evidence based, tiered approach. Excellent Teaching and learning are supported by targeted help for individuals alongside the wider strategy of improving attendance. A powerful team of experts are employed to deliver a high level of student support so that all students are able to access and flourish as a result of the exceptional, thoughtful and supportive teaching that is present in our classrooms. 

Our strategy is also integral to wider school plans for education recovery, notably in its targeted support through the National Tutoring Programme for pupils whose education has been worst affected, including non-disadvantaged pupils.

Our next Pupil Premium Strategy Review will be completed in 2024.

Pupil premium strategy statement 2023-2024Also see our page regarding Free School Meals