At West Denton Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that every child has an equal opportunity to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. The Pupil Premium is additional government funding designed to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils of all abilities. This funding enables us to provide targeted support, remove barriers to learning and narrow the attainment gap between eligible pupils and their peers.

What Is Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is allocated to schools to help raise the achievement of disadvantaged pupils. Evidence shows that disadvantaged children often face additional challenges that can affect progress, and the Pupil Premium plays a vital role in helping schools address these needs.

This funding is not a personal budget for individual children. Instead, we use it to deliver high‑impact strategies that benefit pupils across school.

How We Use the Funding

The Department for Education expects schools to use their Pupil Premium in line with the menu of approaches, informed by evidence from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). At West Denton Primary School, we follow a tiered approach:

High‑Quality Teaching

We invest in professional development, coaching and high‑quality resources to strengthen classroom practice. Improving teaching benefits all pupils and is proven to have the greatest impact on disadvantaged learners.

Targeted Academic Support

We provide structured small‑group interventions, phonics catch‑up, precision teaching and one‑to‑one tuition. These approaches help pupils close gaps and make accelerated progress.

Wider School Strategies

We support attendance, wellbeing and engagement through pastoral programmes, mental health resources, breakfast provision and family support.

Enrichment Access

We subsidise educational visits, extracurricular clubs, uniform support and essential equipment to ensure all pupils can participate fully in school life.

 

Who Is Eligible?

Schools receive Pupil Premium funding for pupils who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Free School Meals (FSM) — Pupils currently eligible for income‑related Free School Meals

• Ever 6 FSM — Pupils who have been eligible for FSM at any point in the last six years

• Care‑Experienced Children — Looked After Children or previously looked‑after children (Pupil Premium Plus)

• Service Children — Pupils with a parent serving in the UK Armed Forces (Service Pupil Premium)

How to Apply (And Why It Matters)

Even if your child receives Universal Infant Free School Meals (Reception to Year 2), it is important to apply for income‑related Free School Meals if you are eligible. A successful application unlocks significant additional funding for our school, directly supporting teaching and learning.

The application process is simple, safe and confidential. No other pupils or families will know who is eligible.

• Check Your Eligibility: Apply for Free School Meals

• Get Support: Our school office team can help you complete the application if needed

Statutory Strategy Statements

All schools receiving Pupil Premium must publish an updated Pupil Premium Strategy Statement by 31 December each academic year, using the official DfE template. This includes:

• our funding allocation

• our spending priorities

• our evidence‑based approaches

• our evaluation of impact

• our plans for future years

You can view our full strategy statements and impact reports below: