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Pupil Premium Funding

What it is, how it is used and the impact

What it is

The Pupil Premium is government funding that comes into school based on the numbers of children from:

  • low income families (eligible for free school meals)
  • children from service families
  • children who have been “looked after” by a Local Authority continuously for more than six months. 

How it is used

Schools decide how to spend the money to meet needs and close the gaps that children may have in their academic, personal, emotional or family needs; these can be long or short term needs.  This money enables us to use additional resources (items and people) and provide opportunities to enable children to achieve their personal potential.  

At our school, Pupil Premium is used in a variety of ways, including providing additional learning support so children can have dedicated interventions, support and encouragement in learning; purchasing specific resource which will support the individual child; opportunities for wrap around care that supports learning and enrichment for the child.

The school must evaluate the impact of provision, which is undertaken each term for data, personal and social and Mental Health and Well-being.

Is your child eligible for extra funding?

Your child may be entitled to some extra funding which can help them get the most out of school. The money can be used in many ways:

  • To provide extra learning support  to help children improve their academic potential, especially in Maths and English, and also their social and communication skills.
  • To provide extra resources, eg Computers, Access to Funzone  
  • In addition, children with Pupil Premium funding are entitled to a daily school meal.  Families choose if they want to take up this offer.

You can apply for this Pupil Premium funding whatever age your child. (It is also called Free School Meal funding as it helps pay for your child’s FSM in KS2). If you think that your income is low and you receive any of the benefits listed below, please apply:

  • Income support
  • Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Ash Grange Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2025-26

This statement details our school’s use of pupil premium funding to help improve the attainment of our disadvantaged pupils.

It outlines our pupil premium strategy, how we intend to spend the funding in this academic year and the effect that last year’s spending of pupil premium had within our school.

School overview

Detail

Data

School name

Ash Grange Nursery and Primary School

Number of pupils in school

265

Proportion (%) of pupil premium eligible pupils

15%

Academic year/years that our current pupil premium strategy plan covers

2024-25

Date this statement was published

July 2025

Date on which it will be reviewed

July 2026 – annually

Statement authorised by

Marie Curtis - Headteacher

Pupil premium lead

Marie Curtis - Headteacher

Governor / Trustee lead

Mrs Kirstie Jones

Funding overview

Detail

Amount

Pupil premium funding allocation this academic year

£82,756

Pupil premium funding carried forward from previous years (enter £0 if not applicable)

£0

Total budget for this academic year

£82,756

Part A: Pupil premium strategy plan

Statement of intent

We want every child to achieve their full potential and value themselves for their skills, talents and abilities.  Through our ethos, aims, curriculum and relationships with the children and families we demonstrate our valuing and appreciating all for who they are, not what they have.   Our intention is that all pupils, irrespective of their background or the challenges they face, make good progress and achieve their highest attainment across all subject areas. The focus of our pupil premium strategy is to support disadvantaged pupils to overcome barriers and achieve that goal.

High-quality teaching is at the heart of our approach, with a focus on areas in which disadvantaged pupils require the most support and targeted interventions. This is proven to have the greatest impact on closing the disadvantage attainment gap and at the same time will benefit the non-disadvantaged pupils in our school. Implicit in the intended outcomes detailed below, is the intention that non-disadvantaged pupils’ attainment will be sustained and improved alongside progress for their disadvantaged peers.

To achieve these objectives, we have adopted the tiered approach recommended by the EEF, which places the greatest focus on promoting high quality teaching, supported by academic interventions and wider non-teaching strategies.

The first barrier is access to education for families, to make the most of learning opportunities within the Nursery and Reception Classes.  To then develop the oral skills to communicate wants, needs, interests and learning.  To learn the skills of reading and writing, that enable access to all learning for life.  To build aspirations for the short and long term and a self-belief that goals can be achieved. To have the pastoral support to identify needs and develop the strategies to gain the support to overcome these and thrive.  To develop emotional health and well-being, that builds a sense of self, relationships with others and resilience for life’s journey.

Challenges

This details the key challenges to achievement that we have identified among our disadvantaged pupils.

Challenge number

Detail of challenge

1

Assessments, observations, and discussions with families and pupils indicate underdeveloped oral language skills and vocabulary gaps among many disadvantaged pupils. These are evident from Nursery to Reception through to KS2 and in general, are more prevalent among our disadvantaged pupils than their peers.

2

Assessments, observations, and discussions with pupils suggest disadvantaged pupils generally have greater difficulties with spelling and grammar than their peers. This negatively impacts their development as readers and writers.

3

Internal and external assessments indicate that maths attainment among disadvantaged pupils is significantly below that of non-disadvantaged pupils, especially due to vocabulary gaps and mental maths knowledge of strategies and agility.

4

Our assessments, observations and discussions with pupils and families have identified social and emotional issues for many pupils, gaps in experience that they can draw on with writing and learning across the curriculum areas.  These challenges particularly affect disadvantaged pupils, which directly impacts attainment.

5

Our assessments and observations indicate that absenteeism is negatively impacting disadvantaged pupils’ progress.

6

Our knowledge of families identifies financial hardship which can also impact Mental Health and Well-being of children and adults

7

Aspirational views of parents and children in homes with long term joblessness.

 

Intended outcomes

This explains the outcomes we are aiming for by the end of our current strategy plan, and how we will measure whether they have been achieved.

Intended outcome

Success criteria

Provide additional support for specific areas of learning to raise children’s confidence and attainment in English and/or

Pupils transfer skills learnt during interventions/tutoring to enable them to work towards achieving expected levels or higher as well as developing their confidence to become independent learners.

Help children to prepare for learning well with breakfast and focused before school activities.

Children are ready to learn so greater progress made each day. Improved attendance.

Improve Attendance rates of Pupil Premium children

Improved attendance rates, enables the children to be at school to learn, make greater progress and close gaps in attainment

Provide enrichment resources that enables equality to build self-esteem and give greater access to learning.

Including resources in the home e.g. Chrome books, workbooks, reading books

Improved progress rates and reduction in attainment gaps.

Provide enrichment opportunities during the day, before and after school and in the holidays to provide cultural capital and close social/economic gaps

Build self-esteem, give greater access to learning which will improve learning behaviours, progress rates and help reduce attainment gaps.

Provide EMWB support for those pupils who are in need to overcome needs and be ready to learn.

Pupils are supported emotionally and psychologically and show a greater degree of engagement in learning and school life in general.

Support parents/carers to manage own needs and support their children to be at school and achieve their potential

Improved attendance.

Greater self-regulation by children and adults.

Children achieve their potential

Support families to maximise resources to reduce financial strain e.g. Uniform preloved donations used by all; Eco Shop with everyday products at much lower prices.

Money available for families for basic needs

Sense of community all accessing the resources, community support and cohesion.

Activity in this academic year

This details how we intend to spend our pupil premium (and recovery premium funding) this academic year to address the challenges listed above.

Teaching (for example, CPD, recruitment and retention)

Activity

Evidence that supports this approach

Challenge number(s) addressed

Little Wandle Phonics Program

 

Ongoing CPD for this Spelling Program Training for staff, to be able to run programme for Year upper KS1 and  KS2

Phonics | Toolkit Strand | Education Endowment Foundation | EEF

2025 Data:

EYFS GLD 74%

Children not achieving the GLD have targeted intervention to catch up from Year 1

Year 1 Phonics pass 90%

Children not achieving the Y1 phonics expected standard have targeted intervention to catch up in Y2

End of Year 6 Reading results:  Expected 90%/Greater depth 40%

End of Year 6 Writing results: Expected 77% Greater depth 13%

Children not achieving national average in Key stage 2, Years 3 to 6, are targeted each year.

1, 2, 4

Improve children's mental maths skills so that all children can apply these rapidly to support problem solving ability in maths

End of Year 6 Maths results:  Expected 90%/Greater depth23%

Children not achieving national average in Key stage 2, Years 3 to 6, are targeted each year.

3

CPD training related to Cornerstones Curriculum, Subject Leader training to develop school offer related to needs and interests of the children and the school ethos and aims.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/files/Publications/Covid-19_Resources/The_EEF_guide_to_supporting_school_planning_-_A_tiered_approach_to_2021.pdf

Continue to embed a rich, skills-based curriculum that is tailored to the needs of all pupils, where children learn through first-hand experiences. This promotes accelerated progress and increases attainment for those children considered most vulnerable

5

 

Targeted academic support (for example, tutoring, one-to-one support structured interventions)

Activity

Evidence that supports this approach

Challenge number(s) addressed

1a) Additional Learning Assistant support – each class has 1 fulltime assistant in addition to the Class teacher.

Intervention programmes, Talk Boost for speech, PIXL programme and beyond as appropriate to the pupil Shine Booster 3x a week

Speech and language support led by specialist staff member

OT informed planned programmes linked to dexterity session for children with physical and sensory needs

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/ files/Publications/Covid-19_Resources/The_EEF_guide_to_supporting_school_ planning_-_A_tiered_approach_to_2021.pdf

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit/one-to-one-tuition

Half termly data tracking within school, alongside termly PiXL comparative data shows that the children make better than expected rates of progress with the support in place.

1, 2, 3, 4,

1b) Additional Resources including:

  • For home:  Workbooks, Chromebook, EYFS reading books

Recognition prizes for achievements:

  • reading (book prize awarded for each book band level achieved)
  • Fountain Pens and termly ink colour awarded for handwriting and presentation levels

Sports kit and equipment provided for all children to use to overcome any financial barriers

Bikes provided through cycling proficiency to children without so that they can apply their skills

Breaktime resources skateboards, scooters provide children with experiences that may be restricted by finances

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/digital

Ethos of all children treated the same and given the same opportunities, supports self-esteem and removes basic barriers to learning in resources.  These resources become part of the home environment to promote learning and achievement to all.

 

Government support of technology with allocation of Chrome Books

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

1c) Additional Learning Opportunities including:

WOW for project launch to provide experiences for children without those

Year 5 – LAMDA

Year 4 – TWA programme; team skills, first aid and charitable works

Specialists: Music Teacher, Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist

Trips - Rotary Club Day out

Wider PE experiences to develop children’s skills and knowledge – golf, skipping, gymnastics and cricket through specialist PE providers.

Swimming lessons for all and additional top up swimming lessons for children with gaps in their achievements.

These events overcome barriers and enable children to embed learning on concrete experiences, which inspire. The children’s writing and learning progress overall is accelerated by these experiences and can be tracked through progress and attainment results.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7,

Wider strategies (for example, related to attendance, behaviour, wellbeing)

Activity

Evidence that supports this approach

Challenge number(s) addressed

2a) Dedicated admin Assistant 30% of weekly time

Tracking and response to absence has consistent practice Resources to improve attendance – monthly bands and end of year awards

automated truancy call

Rates of attendance have improved year on year through the targeted intervention.

2022-23: 94.2%, 2023-24: 94.7%, 2024-25 95.1%

 

Additionally, this helps children prepare for learning so make greater progress (See 1 above)

6. 7, 8.

2b) Reward system for high attendance.   Weekly class certificate, monthly healthy snack/stationery prize for children with 100% attendance, annual attendance awards.

Short term incentive attendance programmes for children who are PA

5, 6

2c) Support for mental health and wellbeing of children, including:

  • Counselling with trained counsellor
  • Young Carer Support Groups and events programme
  • ELSA sessions
  • Day to Day provision and ethos
  • Me Time and related resources, including journals for Y5/6
  • Staff CPD to mentor
  • A MHWB lead to distribute leadership of provision
  • PLAC designated lead with termly family meetings
  • Extensive programme for PSHE that develops healthy minds and bodies (school has achieved Surrey Healthy School award, Anti-Bullying Charter; Respecting Rights Award
  • Early Years program of study "Think Equal"  to develop positive habits from the earliest opportunity.
  • Dedicated spaces for support of children, staff and parents.

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/ files/Publications/SEL/EEF_Social_and_Emotional_Learning.pdf

Providing MHWB activities, support children to overcome EHMW challenges.  The children can attend school and focus on learning to make full potential.

Nobel laureate James Heckman found that SEL taught in early years not only has long term (into midlife) positive effects on crime, employment, health, cognitive and non-cognitive skills for the participant (Heckman and Karapakula 2019), but also benefits those around them (Heckman and Karapakula 2019b)

https://thinkequal.org/about-us/our-story/research-and-evidence/

 

 

 

5, 6, 7, 8

2d) Support for mental health and wellbeing of parents/carers and support with learning at home.

  • Parent workshops
  • Parent Support Group
  • Hampers at Christmas
  • Food Bank support
  • Signposting
  • Counselling
  • Eco shop
  • Uniform preloved area
  • JAM (just about managing) support
  • Parent and child meals
  • Parent and child cooking classes

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/ files/Publications/SEL/EEF_Social_and_Emotional_Learning.pdf

Providing MHWB activities, enables parents to be available to support the EHWB and learning needs of their child.  The children can attend school and focus on learning to make full learning potential.

6, 7, 8

2 e) School will continue to offer parent workshops to support engagement and increase parents' knowledge to enable them to support home learning and address targets in reports.

  • Learning workshops in the school day
  • FACE courses
  • Network meetings with specialists
  • Newsletter advice e.g. Did you know
  • Website resources
  • Parent library

 

Providing learning and support for parents enables them to support their child with homework, to value learning in the short and long term.  The children can then achieve their full learning potential.

7, 8

2f) School will continue to provide enrichment opportunities during the day (trips and events e.g. trips, events (Panto), holiday clubs, LAMDA, TWA, Swimming lessons, Surrey Arts Music Lessons, Rocksteady Music lessons) and in the holidays (holiday club access) to provide cultural capital and close social/economic gaps

https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/public/ files/Publications/SEL/EEF_Social_and_Emotional_Learning.pdf

Children have experiences as basis for learning, socialising and to develop their confidence and skills

1,4,7

 

Part B: Review of outcomes in the previous academic year

Pupil premium strategy outcomes - This details the impact that our pupil premium activity had on pupils in the 2023-24 academic year.

 

Impact

Attendance improved for PP children to 89.8% (95.1 not PP children)

Key Stage 2 Results 24-25 for Pupil Premium Children – 9 children

55% achieved combined in Reading, Writing and Maths; 11% achieved higher level in Reading, Writing and Maths

Average score in reading 106

Average score in maths 105

 

Externally provided programmes

Please include the names of any non-DfE programmes that you purchased in the previous academic year. This will help the Department for Education identify which ones are popular in England

Programme

Provider

All curriculum areas

PiXL Club

Writing

Write Stuff; Squiggle into Wiggle

Spelling

Spelling Shed

Maths

White Rose Maths Scheme

Enrichment

TWA, LAMDA

 

Service pupil premium funding 

For schools that receive this funding, you may wish to provide the following information: How our service pupil premium allocation was spent last academic year

In addition to the above sections:

If a family member is on tour or training, families can access unpaid wrap around care (breakfast and afterschool) when needed to support working parent challenges.

The impact of that spending on service pupil premium eligible pupils

In addition to the above sections:

Children are in familiar surroundings with support staff to provide emotional health and well-being support to the child and family.