The Pupil Premium is government funding designed to improve the educational experiences and outcomes of pupils from low-income families. At Sturminster Newton High School, we are committed to ensuring that disadvantaged pupils make strong progress and achieve highly across all areas of the curriculum.
Our aim is for every pupil regardless of background or individual challenges to have the opportunity to succeed. Our Pupil Premium strategy supports disadvantaged pupils, including those who are already high attainers. We also recognise the needs of vulnerable pupils, such as young carers and those with a social worker, and we provide appropriate support whether or not they qualify for Pupil Premium funding.
Pupil Premium StrategyCore Entitlements
- To be provided with Quality First Teaching
- To be provided with additional support from professionals around Attendance and Wellbeing.
- To be provided with additional teaching or tuition in Maths and English where they are significantly underachieving through our SEND provision and/or KS4 Tutoring
- To have financial support to attend day trips and other events linked to the school curriculum and as they progress through school
- To be provided with opportunities to take on additional responsibilities within the school, e.g. Council reps, Prefects, Student Leadership, Sports Leaders etc.
- To be provided with opportunities to attend external events aimed at raising aspiration. These might include visits to organisations, companies and further and higher education institutions
- To be provided with one-to-one careers guidance from Year 9 onwards
- To attend careers related in-school and external events from Year 8 onwards
- To have access to the Behaviour Support, therapeutic support, Learning Mentor support and the Student and Family Support staff
- To attend key school events celebrating success and achievements, e.g. Awards Evenings and Leavers Proms etc.
- To represent the school for Sporting Fixtures, Music Concerts, Drama Production and other events throughout the school calendar.
Additional entitlement where need arises
- To have access to a mobile device facilitated by the school
- To be considered for any other specific equipment
- To have financial support made available for other essential school equipment, including Art and DT ingredients
- To have access to focus groups such as our STEM workshops or Boys HUB that supports raising achievement
What the Pupil Premium Grant Provides
The Pupil Premium Grant is allocated to schools to support eligible students with their learning and to help fund Free School Meals for children whose parents or carers receive one of the following benefits (as outlined by the Department for Education):
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support
- Child Tax Credit (with an annual income of £16,190 or below) and not receiving Working Tax Credit
- The Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit (subject to income requirements)
By registering for Free School Meals, you could help the school receive over £900 in additional funding. This extra funding supports initiatives such as additional tuition, increased teaching capacity, and wider enrichment opportunities.
You can check eligibility and apply online via the following link:
Free School Meals
Your child may be eligible for Free School Meals if you receive any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (without Working Tax Credit) and with an annual income not exceeding £16,190 (as assessed by HMRC)
Applications are quick and straightforward. If you believe you may be eligible, you can apply directly through Dorset Council using the link below:
Other useful resources for our families in our local community
The Vale Pantry latterly known as the Vale Family Hub was set up during Covid to tackle the food deprivation that was very much hidden behind closed doors. Transitioning into a Main Family Hub, with the invaluable support of Dorset Council, The Vale Family Hub now offers a plethora of services to help families find their footing. Despite the move to larger premises, the Family Hub remains steadfast in its independence, relying on the goodwill and generosity of the local community to sustain its operations.
The Williams Trust are a family we are exceptionally lucky to have that support some of the students that attend Sturminster Newton High School. The Williams Trust support us in a variety of ways form educational resources to staffing expertise and extracurricular opportunities. They want to extend this type of opportunity to others and try to plug some of the gaps that exist for people living in challenging circumstances and/or with limited access to services.
Anyone can apply, providing they are applying as an individual (or on behalf of an individual) in need of a one-off grant to support with:
- Relief of poverty
- The enhancement of educational opportunities
- Physical or mental health diagnosis and/or treatment
- Reducing social isolation
The Social Prescribers, The Wellbeing Team through The Blackmore Vale Partnership offer a range of events and opportunities to support our surrounding communities. Please see a snapshot of events on offer this month.
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