Do your children get Pupil Premium?

hello007007

Hello
Just found out we have been eligible for pupil premium for the last 5 years. So angry the school didnt tell us before as we could have really use the money to buy study guides and workbooks.
Have you use pupil premium for anything? What else can it be used for?

arbrighton

You don't get the money though, the school does, to support your child as they see fit

sophiedophie

The school should be able to tell you what their pupil premium money has been spent on as a school.

rach_k

If your children are registered for free school meals, school will already have claimed it for them. If they're in KS1 where they all get free lunches anyway, you still would have been asked to complete a form, possibly on paper or our school recently switched to grabbing each Reception child's parents at pick-up time and filling it in on a laptop. As people have said though, it's not something you see as a family.

kingfisherblue

Pupil premiums have been spent on extra TAs, additional school resources, and digital resources in my son's school. As it is a special school, in recent years some has also been spent on specialist computer programmes, mini bus training (which enables trips out to improve daily living skills), Makaton training for all staff (so that there is consistent spoken and signed communication throughout the school), and cameras (for additional resources specific to the pupils, to include in home/school communication books, and to help with transition).

This is all on the school website.

iammumtoone

I never know such a thing existed it explains a alot.

My sons school is in a very affluent area (I'm not included in that description but live in catchment). It has an extremely low level of pupils claiming free school dinners.

My sons school compared to others in the town (higher areas of unemployment) don't do/go anywhere, no school trips etc. Friends with children at other schools seem to do something/go somehwere every other week This goes somewhat to explaining why :mad:

I understand why it is payable to those with special needs but don't get why it is needed for those who claim school dinners due to being unemployed. It could be argued that those people have more time to dedicate to their children's education as they have more time to spend with them. I work meaning my son goes to paid childcare I dont have the time I would like to spend with him to educate him, or take him out due to being at work! It would be nice if the school could do more with him or take him on trips but do due to most of the parents at his school working it seems this may be the reason they can't afford to :mad:

Rant over.

Chelle22

iammumtoone wrote: »

My sons school is in a very affluent area (I'm not included in that description but live in catchment). It has an extremely low level of pupils claiming free school dinners.

My sons school compared to others in the town (higher areas of unemployment) don't do/go anywhere, no school trips etc. Friends with children at other schools seem to do something/go somehwere every other week This goes somewhat to explaining why :mad:

I am afraid it is not nearly as simple as this. Schools get funding from lots of different places for lots of different reasons and the schools will be using this as best they can. Unfortunately funding is being cut left right and centre and many schools struggle to meet basic needs such as photocopying. Please do not assume this money is used directly on things such as school trips solely for those from low income families because I can assure you that there is much more to it than that.

tibawo

Pupil Premium is something the school gets and is used to fund things that may benefit your chid but sadly if your child is already average and progressing then will get naff all. I checked online for my dd school and it was spent on stuff that had no benefit or interest to her or her abilities. I really wish it was given to support the child direct otherwise what is the point of it?

theoretica

iammumtoone wrote: »

I understand why it is payable to those with special needs but don't get why it is needed for those who claim school dinners due to being unemployed.

There is a strong body of evidence which shows that how well children do in school on average correlates to their background. Free school meals is simple to use as a marker when wishing to provide extra resources for children who are at risk of underachieving.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-education-of-disadvantaged-children/2010-to-2015-government-policy-education-of-disadvantaged-children

rach_k

iammumtoone wrote: »

I never know such a thing existed it explains a alot.

My sons school is in a very affluent area (I'm not included in that description but live in catchment). It has an extremely low level of pupils claiming free school dinners.

My sons school compared to others in the town (higher areas of unemployment) don't do/go anywhere, no school trips etc. Friends with children at other schools seem to do something/go somehwere every other week This goes somewhat to explaining why :mad:

I understand why it is payable to those with special needs but don't get why it is needed for those who claim school dinners due to being unemployed. It could be argued that those people have more time to dedicate to their children's education as they have more time to spend with them. I work meaning my son goes to paid childcare I dont have the time I would like to spend with him to educate him, or take him out due to being at work! It would be nice if the school could do more with him or take him on trips but do due to most of the parents at his school working it seems this may be the reason they can't afford to :mad:

Rant over.

There's no need to be cross. Children receiving the pupil premium are statistically disadvantaged. The money doesn't leave them in a better off position than those who don't receive it - there is only so much school can do, after all.

"Introduced in 2011, the pupil premium is a sum of money given to schools each year by the Government to improve the attainment of disadvantaged children.

This is based on research showing that children from low income families perform less well at school than their peers. Often, children who are entitled to pupil premium face challenges such as poor language and communication skills, less family support, lack of confidence and issues with attendance and punctuality. The pupil premium is intended to directly benefit the children who are eligible, helping to narrow the gap between them and their classmates."
[http://www.theschoolrun.com/pupil-premium-explained]

Key points there include, 'disadvantaged children' and 'narrow the gap'.

sulphate

Have a word with the school but pupil premium can also be spent on music lessons.