Pupil premium is funding to improve education outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in schools in England. Evidence shows that disadvantaged children generally face additional challenges in reaching their potential at school and often do not perform as well as other pupils.

Evidence suggests that pupil premium spending is most effective when schools use a tiered approach, targeting spending across 3 areas (please see tiered model below), with a particular focus on teaching.

1. Teaching (e.g training, support and professional development for teachers)
2. Targeted academic support (e.g one-to-one/small group tuition and speech and language therapy)
3. Wider approaches (e.g breakfast club, counselling to support emotional health and wellbeing, help with the cost of educational trips or visits)

At Westleigh Methodist Primary School, we have created a culture where staff believe in ALL children; no excuses are made for underperformance and we constantly strive to fulfil our school vision by being 'With God, all things are possible'.  To do this, staff adopt a ‘solution focused’ approach to overcoming barriers and children are supported to develop resilience.  All children for whom we receive the pupil premium grant for benefit from the funding, not just those who are underperforming - a holistic view is taken to broaden children's life experiences, talents and interests as well as their academic progress.  

To find out if your child is eligible for Pupil Premium Funding please go to...

https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Benefit-Grants/Free-school-meals.aspx

Current Pupil Premium Strategy

As in previous years, Westleigh Methodist Primary School will continue to use the pupil premium to improve the progress and attainment of our disadvantaged pupils. 

For the academic year 2023 to 2024, we will:

• use our recovery premium alongside our pupil premium funding and report on the use of them as a single sum in our strategy statement
• publish our strategy statement by 31st December 2023
• demonstrate how our spending decisions are informed by a range of evidence

Rest assured, our disadvantaged pupils will receive the support they need during the autumn term.  Some of the ways we will support these children are: 

• Subsidy of trips and visitors to broaden life experiences and gain a sense of awe and wonder
• Targeted support throughout and beyond the school day in phonics, reading and maths
• Interventions, THRIVE groups, friendship circles and 1:1 counselling to support mental health and wellbeing
• Family support from our pastoral manager