What is Pupil Premium Funding?

Pupil Premium funding is an additional grant given to schools for the specific purpose of raising attainment and achievement of pupils from low income families who are eligible for free school meals, and also children who have been looked after for a period of six months or more. The first allocation of £488.00 per pupil was allocated in April 2011.

Schools have been advised that the funding can be used for such items as: after school activities; private tuition; extra curricula support; school trips; confidence/capacity building activities; equipment to support learning; or any item or service that supports the young person’s education.

Although schools are encouraged to consult with external agencies, where ever possible, the ultimate decision on how the funding is utilised is the responsibility of the headteacher, governing body and staff of the school. However, schools are accountable for how the funding is spent.

Statement of Intent

At Featherstone High School it is our intention to ensure that all our pupils, whether or not they are from disadvantaged backgrounds ultimately attain the best possible outcomes for the 8 qualifications across the broad curriculum for which they are entered at age 16.

We have a proud history of making very good progress in supporting our disadvantaged cohort (including the high attainers) in closing the gap in achievement. In the last year of normal examinations prior to the COVID pandemic in 2019 the average attainment 8 for the 32% that were disadvantaged was 5.246 (with a progress 8 score of 0.99) compared to 5.304 for other pupils (with a progress 8 score of 0.95). The overall attainment 8 for disadvantaged pupils was in the highest 20% of all schools in 2019, 2018 and 2017. In 2020 the average attainment 8 for the disadvantaged cohort was 5.324 (compared to 5.536) and in 2021 the average attainment 8 for the disadvantaged cohort was 4.937 (compared to 5.539) illustrating a gap opening up as a result of the pandemic. Soft anecdotal evidence confirms vulnerable cohorts such as the disadvantaged being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

The school is very pleased to note the attainment / progress gap that had opened up between the disadvantaged and non -disadvantaged during 2020 and 2021 has been largely removed in 2022 although there remains a slight gap in the progress 8 score of the two cohorts. This was sustained in 2023.

Click here for our Pupil Premium Statement from the 31st of December 2023

Previous Years Detailed Breakdown of Spend

• Pupil Premium Funding at FHS 2022-2023
• Pupil Premium Funding at FHS 2021-2022
• Pupil Premium Funding at FHS 2020-2021
• Pupil Premium Funding at FHS 2018-2019
• Pupil Premium Funding at FHS 2017-2018