Pupil Premium

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

We aim to advocate the inclusion of students who are deemed to be at a disadvantage through:

• Supporting all students to achieve their potential

• Stimulating and/or maintaining students interest in their own education

• Personal, educational and social development within a supportive environment

• Identification of the individual needs of pupil premium students and the implementation of appropriate intervention and support programmes

• Effective liaison with pastoral and subject staff

• Effective tracking and monitoring of progress over time

• Working in partnership with parents

At Duchess’s we implement a range of strategies and initiatives to overcome hurdles to ensure that pupil premium is no longer a barrier to academic achievement, high expectations and aspirations. Quality first teaching focuses on raising quality and standards through improving engagement in learning and formative assessment. Regular data collections covering academic achievement and assessment of attitudes to learning can then form effective interventions which are varied and specific to the needs of the student/group. Students are supported academically and pastorally to challenge barriers to learning and offer appropriate support.

Our aim is to diminish the achievement gap and continue to consider new opportunities to enhance the experiences of our Pupil Premium students.

Funding and Support

What is Pupil Premium funding?

Pupil Premium is funding allocated to schools based on the number of Free Schools Meals, Looked After Children, Post Looked After Children and Forces students that attend the school. For Free School Meals it also includes those students who have been on the FSM list at any point in the previous six years. 

Who is Eligible for Pupil Premium?

Students in Years 7 to 11 who are:-

Free School Meals

Free School Meals in the last 6 years

Looked After Children

Post Looked After Children - children previously looked after by a local authority e.g. adopted from care, special guardianship order.

Services Children for whom one of their parents is serving in the regular armed forces and Children who have been registered on any school census in the last six years.

PP grant can be used to support other pupils with identified needs, such as pupils who have or have had a social worker, or pupils who act as a carer. It can also be used for whole class approaches, for example high-quality teaching, which will also benefit non-disadvantaged pupils.

Do you think your child might be eligible for Pupil Premium Funding?

The Department of Education has suggested that at least 14% of students eligible for FSM are not claiming them. It is very important that parents let us know if they are in receipt of any of the following types of benefits, as we will not be automatically informed by the local government: Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

• Universal Credit

• Children who get any of the above benefits in their own right (i.e. they get benefits payments directly, instead of through a parent or guardian) can also get free school meals.

You can apply either by:

• telephone on FSM 01670 623592

• completing a paper application form which is available from FSM Office Northumberland County Council County Hall Morpeth NE61 2EF

• or follow the link: https://online.northumberland.gov.uk/citizenportal/form.aspx?form=Free_School_Meals

Pupil Premium Strategy Statement

Please follow this link to view the Pupil Premium Strategy Statement for academic years 2022/23-2025/26.

As the size of the FSM cohort is small the attainment and progress percentages can vary substantially if a small number of FSM students have other issues for example linked to attendance or Special Needs. It is therefore important for us to not only work on the classroom experience for these students but also give consideration to how we raise aspirations and expectations through working with parents, raising attendance, involvement of outside agencies / community groups etc.

In 2024/25 we will continue to make progress with many of these commitments as well as continuing to develop new strategies to meet the ever changing needs of our students. Ensuring development and progress from the individual child’s starting point. The above link also contains our focus areas and action points for this year.