What is the Pupil Premium Grant?

The Pupil Premium is additional funding provided to schools by the current Government, who wish to close the educational attainment gap we have nationally between children who are eligible for Free School meals (FSM), and those who are not.  The national statistics show that children who are eligible for FSMs attain lower scores on tests and assessments. 

We do have children who fit this target group and more resources to support their progress is welcomed.  Of course this is a generalised assumption and we have many examples of children at Berkeley Primary School that have achieved the highest levels whilst still being eligible for FSMs – this funding allows us to challenge them even further.  In our opinion the money supports the progress of all pupils, as we can offer staff and resources that benefit everyone, but we are also able to target specific pupils where necessary. 

It is important that if you are in a family that may be eligible for free school meals you claim for them. The school does not automatically get the money so if you do not claim then the school and all children lose out. The office or the local link can easily help you with this.

The Pupil Premium Grant is allocated according to the number of pupils on-roll who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) or have been eligible within the past 6 years, have been adopted and any pupil who has been 'Looked After' (in care) for 6 months or more.  A smaller amount is allocated for children of service families. This is for Reception to Year 6.  In April 2015 the Early Years Pupil Premium was introduced, currently set at £300 per year and this is for Nursery children.  

It is for schools to 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. However, schools are held accountable for how they have used the additional funding to support pupils.

Please see below for information regarding the plans for spending our allocation this year and the review of last year.  We will measure the impact of this spending by tracking the children's progress and attainment carefully throughout the year.  We review our pupil premium strategy annually.  

 Berkeley Primary Pupil Premium Strategy 2021-2024 

The strategy below has been updated from the one published last year detailing the actions planned during the 2023-2024 academic year as we continue our journey to achieve the stated outcomes by July 2024. At the end of the document is an evaluation of the progress made during the 2022-2023 academic year.

 Further Information