Pupil Premium

Due to the closure of schools on 23rd March 2020 because of Covid-19, implementation of the Pupil Premium Strategy 2019-20 was suspended. Meopham School directed its resources towards supporting eligible pupils to maintain their continuity of learning.

As no KS2 data will be available to benchmark standards for Year 7 pupils on entry in September 2020, the school is taking steps to ensure that meaningful data is generated during Term 1 to identify disadvantaged pupils who need additional support, so that reliable progress targets can be set. The same process is in place for other year groups. For this reason the school will publish its Pupil Premium Strategy for 2020-21 by the end of Term 2.

The pupil premium is additional funding given to schools to raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and close the gap between them and their peers. The funding is allocated to schools based on the number of:

Students in receipt of free school meals at any point in the last 6 years (Ever6 FSM)
Children in Care (CIC), adopted or special guardianship
Service children.

We have a wide range of interventions that contribute to closing this attainment gap. The funding allows us to:

Employ additional teachers allowing for smaller group sizes in English and Maths

Embed a data tracking system that allows for targeted intervention in English, Maths and Science and ensures that all teachers know who their Pupil Premium students are

Deliver strategies for use in the classroom that supports student learning and introduce class profile plans to ensure that all teaching staff know their Pupil Premium students and can effectively plan strategies for their attainment. This strategic approach ensures that the needs of each learner are being met within the classroom rather than relying solely on additional interventions

Appoint Learning Leaders to enable every student access to an academic mentor.

Improve and encourage good attendance through rewards

Provide key stationary items to support student’s learning in school and at home

Purchase individual workbooks to support additional sessions in English and Maths

Provide GCSE text books and additional resources to individual KS4 students

Deliver Saturday school for English and Maths

Supply revision materials and study skills sessions for GCSE students

Offer Music lessons

Provide digital technologies to support learning

Offer alternative curriculum in respite placements

Deliver small group work and 1:1 sessions in English, Maths and Science

Provide early interventions by providing a summer school for students making the transfer from KS2 to KS3

Create a family room for parents to meet in a more relaxed environment

Provide funding for school trips

Promote home/school liaison by offering informal ‘drop in’ sessions for parent/carers

Run University trips to encourage and support student aspirations.

Are you claiming your entitlement to free school meals?

As parents you need to know that registering for free school meals is important for two reasons. You will be reassured that your child has access to a healthy lunchtime meal as well as additional funding to support interventions targeted to raise your child’s achievement and aspirations.

To apply free school meals, parents must have one or more children aged four or over attending a local authority maintained school in Kent and be in receipt of one of the following:

Income support
Income based job seekers allowance
Guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (without Working Tax Credit) and an annual income below £16, 190
Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
Support under the part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

If you think you are eligible, please register on the KCC website at: www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/free-school-meals. If you do not have access to the internet or you would like to know more, please contact me – Ms Iles (Focus Group Learning Leader) email: si@meopham.kent.sch.uk

Number of pupils eligible for the Pupil Premium Grant 2018/2019

Year 11 Cohort	Current Year	Cohort Size	No. DA	DA %
2018/19	Year 11	85	14	16.4
2019/20	Year 10	112	28	25
2020/21	Year 9	129	41	31.7
2021/22	Year 8	171	44	25.7
2022/23	Year 7	169	41	24.3