Pupil Premium

What is Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is funding which is additional to main school funding. It is designed to provide additional financial support to schools in raising the attainment of children who are eligible for free school meals (FSM) and those who are in local authority care. The funding is provided to ensure that all children have the access to the opportunities that they need to help build a successful future.

Is my child eligible?

Checking if your child is eligible for Pupil Premium funding is simple. Just go to:

https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/freeschoolmeals/juniorsecondary

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the green button. You will just need your date of birth and your National Insurance number. Alternatively, you can see any of the administration assistants in the Infant or Junior school offices for support. 

How does Balksbury Federation approach Pupil Premium spending?

Balksbury Federation uses a tiered approach which aligns with the Department for Education's strategy for Pupil Premium Spending.

High Quality Teaching

We believe that education is a powerful gift and is ours to give.  We are committed to delivering inspirational teaching that develops well rounded and responsible individuals who aspire to achieve their full potential. Throughout the federation, we respect and value each child.  Providing a safe, secure and welcoming learning environment, we will ensure that children gain a wealth of educational experiences as they move on their journey from Year R to Year 6.

Through our commitment to continued professional development, we ensure that every child receives high quality teaching. Our core learning values of perseverance, collaboration and respect support our children in developing positive behaviours for learning. Our federation site offers a wealth of opportunities for children, both inside and outside the classroom, from VR headsets to our onsite swimming pool.

Targeted Academic Support

At Balksbury Federation, targeted academic support is provided by classroom teachers, teaching assistants and school-based tutors. Children’s progress and attainment is tracked carefully so that gaps in learning can be quickly identified and addressed. Through a combination of preteaching (to develop confidence before learning is delivered as a class), 1:1 and small group interventions, support is linked to classroom teaching and the curriculum. Year group teams have access to expert support from our highly-experienced SENDCo and our SEN support staff team. Regular meetings ensure that interventions meet the changing needs of individual children.

Wider Strategies

Through our Community Support Leads (CSLs), attendance and punctuality are constantly monitored. We are proud of the strong partnerships we have built with our families; there is always someone to support in times of need. Our Coffee, Cake and Chat mornings, which are run by the CSLs, are hugely successful. Children also have access to Emotional Literacy Support delivered by trained members of staff. Nurture groups, peer support groups and the federation’s ‘Talk Toolbox’ discussion sessions help to develop high levels of emotional literacy. We are passionate that all children should have a voice and therefore every member of the federation forms the school council.  With 594 free after-school enrichment club places offering a huge range of activities (such as cookery, football, outdoor learning, rock choir and orienteering), children develop social skills alongside those offered by the club. From the academic year 2022- 2023, the federation will fund a trip for each year group to attend a local working farm once a year. Key curriculum aims have been identified for each group, however the overarching aim is that year on year, children will deepen their understanding of where our food comes from as well as ecology and sustainability. 

High Quality Education

How is the funding allocated to schools?

Pupil Premium is given schools based on the number of children attending the school who are known to be eligible for Free School Meals. Children of service families also receive funding and there is an allocation for each child who has been looked after in local authority care. The current Pupil Premium funding is £1,455 per child and £335 per Service child.

As schools are best-placed to assess the additional provision which should be made for each individual child, we have the responsibility to decide how the Pupil Premium is spent. However, schools are to be held accountable for how they have used the additional funding to support children from low-income families. As of September 2012, this information must be published on the school website:

Book Bundles

Our children who are eligible for free school meals are entitled to take home additional library books during the holidays. Please see the link below for more information about requesting books for the next holiday.