How we spend premiums

At Dickens Heath we believe that all students, regardless of their background, should be supported and challenged to attain the best possible outcomes during their time with us.

The Pupil Premium Grant is funding provided to schools to close the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers. The grant can be spent as each school sees fit, as long as it is used to improve the attainment of eligible pupils. Schools do not need to spend an equal amount on each pupil, or use the money for interventions that benefit only eligible pupils. At Dickens Heath, our aim is to use our Pupil Premium Grant to provide the best quality of education provision in order to raise attainment. As it is the school’s responsibility to make decisions about how the funding should be spent, we research and fund evidence-based strategies which are proven to target and impact upon pupil progress.
 

How we spend our pupil premium funding is detailed in the annual allocation reports below.  We also tell you the effect the funding has had on the attainment of the pupils who attract it in the impact summary.

Robust routines and systems ensure that outcomes from interventions are evaluated on a half-termly basis and scrutinised as part of termly pupil progress process meetings.

The impact of the Pupil Premium Strategy is also reviewed on a termly basis by the head teacher in collaboration with the leadership team.

The date for review of the next Pupil Premium Strategy is September 2026.

We are delighted to be acknowledged by Bridget Phillipson, The Secretary of State, for the performance outcomes of our children, which are among the very best nationally for 2024-2025.

An extract from the letter form The Secretary of State:

"Congratulations to you and your team on the excellent outcomes the disadvantaged pupils at Dickens Heath Community Primary School achieved at the end of the 2024/25 academic year. Your school’s performance places it among the very best nationally, and this is a significant achievement.

This success reflects the dedication of your staff and the hard work of your pupils. It shows what can be achieved when ambition and commitment come together. Thank you for everything you do to give children the best possible opportunities to succeed.

Your school’s achievements demonstrate what is possible, and I hope you will continue to share your experience and best practice with others. Even the strongest schools can go further. We encourage you to lead the way as a system leader - sharing effective practice, championing networks, supporting collaboration, and helping raise standards across the sector."