Did you know just registering your child for Free School Meals means that the school gets extra money?
Ackworth Howard recognises that all pupils regardless of their background should have equal access to a curriculum which will enable them to reach their potential. The pupil premium is a Government initiative that targets extra money to pupils from deprived backgrounds, which, research shows; underachieve, compared to their peers.
The Government have used pupils entitled to Free School meals as an indicator for deprivation, and have deployed a fixed amount of money to schools per pupil, based on the number of pupils eligible for Free School meals. Looked After Children and those of Armed Service Personnel are also eligible for this increased funding.
The Government are not dictating how schools should spend this money, but are clear that schools will need to employ the strategies that they know will support these pupils to increase their attainment, and ‘diminishing the gap’ between their attainment and the attainment of other pupils.