Pupil Premium
The Purpose of Pupil Premium at Caen Primary School
At Caen Primary School, we receive additional funding from the government called Pupil Premium. This funding is aimed at helping us close the attainment gap for pupils who may face disadvantages.
Research shows that children from disadvantaged backgrounds often encounter extra challenges in achieving their full potential and, as a result, may not perform as well as their peers. The Pupil Premium grant enables us to provide targeted support so these pupils can make strong progress and achieve positive outcomes in their learning.
How We Use Pupil Premium Funding
Schools have flexibility in how they use Pupil Premium because teachers and school leaders are best placed to understand the needs of their pupils. However, the government recommends that spending is carefully planned and focused on strategies that make the biggest difference for disadvantaged children.
At Caen Primary School, we use this funding to remove barriers to learning and provide opportunities that every child deserves. Evidence shows that when used effectively, Pupil Premium can significantly improve achievement, particularly in key areas like English and Maths.
Some examples of how we may use Pupil Premium funding include:
- Additional classroom support through teaching assistants to give pupils more focused help.
- Access to technology and learning resources, such as tablets and educational software.
- One-to-one or small group tuition in core subjects like English and Maths.
- Support for pupils with English as an additional language to help them thrive in the classroom.
- Funding towards school trips and experiences so all children can take part in enriching activities.
- Providing essential items such as school uniforms and equipment for families who need support.
- Extra-curricular opportunities including music, drama, and sports clubs to build confidence and skills.
- Specialist support, such as speech and language therapy, counselling, or behaviour support sessions.
- Family support and engagement activities to strengthen home-school partnerships.
By investing in these areas, we aim to ensure that every child at Caen Primary School has the best possible chance to succeed. These improvements often benefit the whole school community - for example, additional staff support allows teachers to spend more time working individually with pupils.
All schools need to report to parents and others about how the grant is spent and ours can be downloaded below.
How To Apply for Pupil Premium (which includes free school meals) for my Child/Children
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at state schools in England automatically get free school meals. However, parents and guardians are encouraged to apply for free school meals when they enrol their child in school, as this can help their child’s school to attract additional Pupil Premium funding to support learning.
From Year 3 onwards, children whose parents are getting any of the following are entitled to free school meals:
- Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods).
- Income Support (IS).
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (IBJSA).
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (IRESA).
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit.
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £16,190).
- Working Tax Credit run-on (the payment you get for a further 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
Apply through the Devon Citizens Portal. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision. Alternatively, call the Education Helpline on 0345 155 1019.