The Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) is a specific grant given by the Government so that Schools can address the attainment gaps between students in the following vulnerable groups and their peers:

• Those students eligible for free school meals (FSM) over the past 6 years
• Students who are looked after (LAC), adopted from care or who leave care under a Special Guardianship or Residential Order
• Students whose parents are in the armed forces
• Students not achieving level 4 in English and maths at the end of KS2. (Catch up premium)
• The catch up premium is allocated annually based on the number of students entering the school below level 4 in English or maths.
• The pupil premium allocated for students on FSM, looked after (LAC) or from Service families is allocated every year they are in school.

The Bishop of Herefords’ Bluecoat School supports every student to be successful in their learning and every member of staff is committed to meeting students’ pastoral, social and academic needs in our vibrant Christian learning community. In line with our values we expect every student to be able to succeed irrespective of any perceived or actual disadvantage.

PPG is clearly identifiable within our budget and enables us to target resources even more effectively to ensure that disadvantaged or vulnerable students have the same opportunities as every other student. PPG expenditure also focuses on narrowing the attainment gap between our highest and lowest achievers; ensuring learners are properly prepared for the next stage of their education.

In practice, the Senior Leaders, Heads of House and Curriculum Team Leaders work together to implement our strategy, to deliver interventions and channel the funding in the most appropriate way. The range of intervention includes whole school initiatives and support for individual students. Please see attached plans for further details.

We ask all our parents and carers to apply for Free School Meals if they think they might be eligible. FSM are available to families who earn less than £16,000 per year. Applications should be made to the local authority, forms can be obtained via Mrs Smith at student services. If you apply and are successful your child does not have to have a school dinner if they’d rather not (although they are excellent). However, it will mean that more money comes into the school from which your son or daughter and other students will benefit.

We also ask that parents and carers of children adopted from care or who leave care under a Special Guardianship or Residential Order or who are in the armed forces inform the school so that we are able to access funding, recognise and monitor their progress effectively.

Any information that identifies the students in these categories will be treated with respect and appropriate confidentiality to ensure there is no inappropriate identification of these students