Pupil & Sports Premium
Pupil PremiumWhat is the Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium is additional funding introduced in 2011 to help schools close the attainment gap between pupils from low-income and other disadvantaged families, and their peers. If a pupil has been eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) at any point over the past 6 years or has been looked after for one day or more (Child Looked After), the school receives an amount per head within their budget. A provision is also made for pupils who have a parent in the armed services – see The Service Pupil Premium Report.
Schools are free to spend the Pupil Premium as they see fit. At Birchfield, this funding isn’t allocated to the child; it is allocated to the school and as such is used on a variety of interventions and resources.
Rationale at Birchfield Primary School
Birchfield Community Primary is determined that all pupils are given the best possible chance to achieve their full potential through the highest standards of Quality First Teaching, focussed support, curriculum enrichment, and pastoral care. We believe the additional provision delivered through the Pupil Premium funding should be available to all pupils within school who we know to be disadvantaged and vulnerable, irrespective of whether they are eligible for the funding. Indeed, it should be noted, that many of the pupils identified as requiring additional levels of support are not necessarily those who fulfil the FSM eligibility criteria. There is no expectation that all Pupil Premium funded pupils will receive identical support and the allocation of the budget for each pupil feeds into the whole school budget. The school considers best ways to allocate Pupil Premium money annually following rigorous data analysis and the careful consideration of the needs of the pupils.
High-quality inclusive teaching within the classroom is regarded as the most effective way to secure sustained improvements in student outcomes. Alongside this, meticulous pastoral care is necessary to assist students in overcoming social, emotional and behavioural barriers to success.
Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2025-2026
Sports Premium
The Sports Premium is designed to help primary schools improve the quality of the PE and sport activities they offer their pupils. Schools receive funding to improve the quality of the PE and sport activities they offer their pupils, and are free to choose the best way of using the money. This funding is provided jointly by the Departments for Education, Health and Culture, Media and Sport and can only be spent on the provision of PE and sport in schools.
The School Games Mark is a government-led awards scheme launched in 2012 to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community. We are proud holders of The Gold Mark for 2024/2025.
