Pupil Premium is funding received from the Government in addition to our main school funding. It is provided to help schools close the attainment gap between children from disadvantaged families and their peers. This includes pupils eligible for Free School Meals at any point over the last six years, Looked After Children, children adopted from care and children with a parent or parents in the armed forces.

The Pupil Premium is provided to enable these children to be supported in meeting their full potential, both academically and socially. Pupil Premium funding represents a significant proportion of our budget at St Matthew’s Primary School and we are committed to spending it to benefit our pupils to maximum effect.

Schools have responsibility for how Pupil Premium is spent and are held to account over how how we have used the money to support pupils, enrich their life experiences and narrow the attainment gap.

At St Matthew’s we have high aspirations and ambitions for each and every child and we believe that no child should be left behind. We strongly believe that it is not about where a child comes from but their passion and thirst for knowledge, and dedication and commitment to learning that makes the difference between success and failure. We are determined to ensure that our children are given every chance to succeed.

Our key priority at St Matthew’s is to support all children in meeting their full potential. Consequently we aim to broaden opportunities, encourage the children to aspire to be the best that they can be and to achieve more than they ever thought possible! This includes the raising of attainment and faster progress for pupils eligible for Pupil Premium funding. We aim to provide a range of professionals to ensure consistency and clarity of high expectations.