Background
The pupil premium was introduced in April 2011 and is additional funding to main school funding given to schools to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers. The Government has used pupils entitled to Free School Meals as an indicator for deprivation and the funding helps to tackle those inequalities of the pupils who need it most.
The pupil premium was allocated to St.Bede’s Catholic Comprehensive School for pupils who have either registered for free schools meals at any point with the last six years, children who have been on the Local Authority’s looked after children register, and children of service personnel. As an example, St. Bede’s Catholic Comprehensive School 31.6% (source: Raiseonline 2016) pupils eligible for Free School Meals.
The pupil premium is paid to schools as the Government believes they are best placed to assess what additional provision their pupils need.
