Pupil Premium
Hillcrest Pupil Premium Strategy
The Government introduced the Pupil Premium Grant in April 2011. This grant, which is additional to main school funding, is seen by the government as the best way to address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their wealthier peers, by ensuring that funding to tackle disadvantage reaches the pupils who need it most. The Pupil Premium is allocated to schools and is clearly identifiable. Schools can decide how the Pupil Premium is spent, since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility.
At Hillcrest Primary School we support all our pupils. We do this by providing high quality classroom teaching supplemented by interventions to support vulnerable learners as and when required. The Wider Leadership Team and Governing Body monitor the impact of all spending and interventions, including the Pupil Premium on an individual tracking system.
Context
Hillcrest Primary School is a two form entry, with 2 classes in Year R – Year 6. We serve the community of Totterdown in the south west of the city.
We believe very strongly that all children deserve the best possible education and as a school we have high expectations for every child. We understand that our children are individuals and have a vast range of need both in terms of learning but also social and emotional. We aim to harness the opportunities given to us through the pupil premium grant to ensure teaching is excellent and that additional support and interventions are of high quality and high impact.
We strive to eliminate inequalities and have a ‘can do’ approach towards all we do with our children and families. All staff believe in the potential and abilities of all our children and are dedicated to giving our children every opportunity to do their best.
Our Pupil Premium Strategy is reviewed at Governor meetings throughout the year and is reviewed termly by our WLT and through Pupil Progress Meetings and Staff Meetings with all staff.
At the end of each school year we complete our Pupil Premium Strategy by producing an end of year review summarising the final impact of our PP spend and a draft proposal for the year to come.
Adopted Children
Adopted children are also entitled to support offered through the pupil premium grant. The school will only receive the correct pupil premium funding for its adopted children if they have been registered and proof of adoption has been seen by the school.
As well as using the pupil premium funding to support pupils' achievement and emotional well being, Hillcrest is committed to providing some extra support for adopted children and their familes.
Here is a brief outline of the support we put in place for all adopted children:
- Upon entry to Hillcrest all adoptive parents are entitled to a meeting with a senior leader, the SENCO and the class teacher to discuss any particular needs of the child.
- Annual attachment workshop day with an external professional and class teacher.
- 3 x coffee mornings hosted by a school 'adoption champion' parent.
- One free breakfast or after school club (Future Stars or enrichment club)per term and a 20% reduction on the cost of all trips and visits. (This will be reviewed each academic year).
Additional Support
As with any child who has additional needs, the school's ongoing assessments may identify extra support and provision that may benefit.
Please see our Pupil Premium strategy above to learn more about the support the school puts in place through its use of the Pupil Premium grant.