Pupil Premium

Pupil Premium at Smithdown Primary School

The Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) is additional funding provided by the Government to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and to help close the attainment gap between them and their peers.

Funding is allocated to pupils who:

  • Are currently eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) or have been eligible at any point in the past six years (known as Ever 6).

  • Are Children Looked After (CLA) or previously looked after.

  • Have parents currently serving in the Armed Forces (Service Premium).

Our Vision and Ethos

At Smithdown Primary School, Together We Grow is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to ensuring that all children—regardless of background or starting point—have equal access to high-quality teaching, enrichment and opportunity.

We use our Pupil Premium funding to:

  • Raise attainment by providing targeted academic support and high-quality teaching.

  • Address barriers to learning such as attendance, wellbeing, and social or emotional needs.

  • Broaden experiences through enrichment and cultural capital opportunities.

  • Support families and community engagement to strengthen home–school partnerships.

Our approach is evidence-informed, drawing on the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) research to ensure strategies are effective and sustainable.

We recognise that not all disadvantaged pupils face the same challenges. Therefore, support is personalised rather than generic, reflecting the needs of individuals and groups within our school. We also acknowledge that some pupils who are not eligible for the grant may still require additional support, and funding may be used flexibly to meet these wider needs.

Accountability and Impact

The school’s Pupil Premium Strategy is reviewed annually by senior leaders and governors.

  • Progress and attainment data are monitored to evaluate impact.

  • Pupil voice, attendance and wellbeing measures are used to assess wider outcomes.

  • The Pupil Premium Strategy Statement, outlining planned spending and impact, is published annually on our school website in line with DfE requirements.

  •  Click here to read our Pupil Premium Strategy Statement 2025-2026

Through targeted support, excellent teaching and an inclusive ethos, we aim to ensure that every child at Smithdown Primary can thrive—academically, socially and emotionally—because Together We Grow.