Diminishing the Difference Vision Statement

We recognise that not all children who are eligible for the Pupil Premium have barriers to learning and that not all children who have barriers to learning are eligible for the pupils premium.  We therefore believe it is right to deploy this funding in a way that benefits all children who need it.

We are guided by the following principles:

• The use of robust quantitative and qualitative data to give accurate baseline and progress measures.  This includes measures such as: Lucid Ability; formal tests of reading age and spelling age; formal written tests; self- and teacher-evaluation of attitudes to learning; attendance data.
• Ambitious expectations for every pupil.
• Engaging parents as far as possible in improving attendance and supporting learning at home.
• The accurate identification of individual need and the provision of appropriate interventions and support e.g. one to one catch-up tuition; reading support; precision teaching through Word Wasp/Power of 2 and others; FFT; booster groups; homework clubs during and after the school day.
• Tracking of progress during and beyond interventions, and making amendments to interventions as necessary.
• Use of research and best practice to ensure that the funding is used as effectively as possible.
• Children are treated as individuals and not identified by the particular group or groups they may belong to so that identification and interventions are tailored to each child so as to be as effective as possible.

The Pupil Premium

The Pupil Premium is a specific sum of money in the school's budget. It is allocated according to the number of children who are or have ever been in care and those who are or have been eligible for free school meals. The Government now describes this group as "disadvantaged pupils." The funding is intended to help schools to diminish differences in attainment between different groups of pupils. Spending is carefully planned through reference to research and to identify good practice, and the impact of spending is measured.  Pupil premium spending and impact are also monitored and evaluated by the Governing Body, and the school has a named Governor (Julie O'Toole) who takes responsibility for this.

BVPS has participated in two Local Authority audits of pupil premium spending and impact.  Both of these audits praised our good practice.  Our Ofsted report says that the funding is wisely spent and is helping to narrow gaps between different groups of pupils.  We have been identified by the local authority as a school with good practice and outcomes, and we were recently asked to give a presentation to other schools as part of the "No Child Left Behind" project.

We have worked with a nationally recognised consultant to audit our practice and make sure that the funding has the best possible impact.

Please see attachments for details of our policy.  The statement and spending review are pending and will be published shortly.