Year 1 Phonic Screening scores have risen over 3 years from 87% pass rate to 90% and now 92% with an incredible 96% of disadvantaged children passing.

Our GLD (Good Level of Development) in Early Years remains above national average at 76%, with 80% of disadvantaged children achieving a GLD.

With whole school priorities of raising attainment in reading and closing the gaps relating to Covid 19 school closures, there is a similar emphasis in the Pupil Premium Strategic Plan.

This year we are investing some of our funding into further staff training in our school reading and writing programme (Literacy and Language) and phonics programme (RWI) which will enable further consistency in our approach to teaching English and phonics across the school in an engaging way. Children still have access to online reading resources such as Bug Club which can be accessed from home.

We are constantly using data to identify specific targeted groups and individuals for focused support where it is needed to ensure that we are really closing the gap between disadvantaged and other pupils. We have an on-site learning mentor who works with targeted vulnerable children to help improve their social, emotional, mental, health and wellbeing.  We also use funding to run parent support programmes such as LBBD specific parent workshops or numeracy and literacy skills classes.

It is important to note that tracking progress by ‘vulnerable groups’ and using terms such as ‘Free School Meals eligibility’ and ‘disadvantaged pupils’ are DfE and OFSTED expectations. However, children are never stigmatised or referred to directly using any of this terminology.