The Pupil Premium was introduced by the Government in April 2011. This enables schools to secure maximum impact in raising attainment for pupils vulnerable to underachievement. To enable this to happen, The Joseph Whitaker School draws upon a range of expertise and best practice evidence in what works to narrow gaps in attainments. The premium provides additional support for:
- Pupils who have been registered for free school meals at any point in the last six years (known as ‘Ever 6’)
- Children who have been looked after continuously for more than six months and children of service personnel.
The Joseph Whitaker School has been awarded funding through this premium in addition to the main school budget. Although schools have the freedom to decide how to use this money, they are held accountable for the progress and achievement of those pupils triggering the premium through:
- Performance tables, which show the outcomes of pupils who receive the pupil premium compared with their peers
- The Ofsted inspection framework, under which inspectors focus on the attainment of pupil groups, and in particular those who receive the pupil premium
- The reports for parents that schools are required to publish online.