At Hartford Junior School, our vision is to create an aspirational and inclusive educational experience, which not only focuses on academic success but also nurtures the overall well-being of every child.Working collaboratively with parents and governors, we aim to provide an environment where our children feel safe, valued and happy, one which fosters self-esteem and supports them to form andmaintain positive relationships and communicate effectively.We aim to empower everyone to reach their full potential, regardless of their socio-economic background, so that every child is equippedto become active and contributing members of society,prepared to make a meaningful impact on the world around them.
Pupil Premium Grant is a sum of money given to schools each year by the Government to improve the attainment of disadvantaged children. This is based on research showing that children from low income families perform less well at school than their peers. The pupil premium is intended to directly benefit the children who are eligible, helping to diminish the difference between them and their peers.
Students receive Pupil Premium if they are in receipt of Free School Meals or have qualified for free school meals at any point in the past six years, classed as Ever 6. Hartford Junior School also receives an enhanced premium for Looked After Children (those who have been in care or adopted) this is now known as Pupil Premium Plus. The Service Premium is a smaller fund available to assist the school to provide pastoral care to the children of armed forces personnel.
Schools can choose how to spend their pupil premium money, in the best way to benefit their students.
Your child may be eligible for Free School Meals – and accordingly pupil premium – if you receive any of the following benefits: Income support, Income-based jobseekers’ allowance, Income-related employment and support allowance, Child tax credit, provided that you are not also entitled to working tax credit and have an annual gross income of £16,190 or less.
Parents can apply simply by providing the Head Teacher with their National Insurance number, no form to complete. Please contact us for more information and advice. Alternatively you can apply online at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals
The amount of money schools receive to support children eligible for the Pupil Premium has been steadily rising and the school now receives £1,480 per eligible child for 2024-25.
Hartford Junior School also receives an enhanced premium for Looked After Children (those who have been in care or adopted) which is known as Pupil Premium Plus. Additionally, the Service Premium is a smaller fund available to assist the school to provide pastoral care to the children of armed forces personnel.
While we are free to spend the Pupil Premium as we see fit, we must be accountable for how we have used the additional funding to support pupils from low-income families.
At Hartford Junior School, Pupil Premium funding is used in a variety of ways to best support pupils' learning and wellbeing. The school employs a range of specialist support staff who are trained in mental health and wellbeing strategies. We also ensure each child on the Pupil Premium register is allocated a 1:1 mentor, who meets with them regularly to support them in any way they may need - be that academic or pastoral.
At Hartford Junior School some of the Pupil Premium monies helps to fund clubs, trips and subsidise in-school experiences for children who have been eligible for recognised Free School Meals. We also fund 'The Nest' through this money, and ensure that all children have been given a named pupil premium champion within school. This ensures all children have the same opportunities and are not disadvantaged.
For more information on Free School Meals in Cambridgeshire please click here.
As with pupil premium, schools must use their recovery premium on evidence-based approaches to support pupils. A ‘menu of approaches’ has been developed to help schools to use both grants effectively.
Any activities funded by recovery premium (or pupil premium) must align with the ‘menu’ from the start of the 2022 to 2023 academic year. It can be found on page 7 of Using pupil premium: guidance for school leaders.
A review of the last academic years (2022-23) spending can be found at the end of this years Hartford Junior School Pupil Premium Strategy Statement.
Mrs Vic Hollison our Puil Premium Lead and Year 3 teacher, has recently taken leadership of Pupil Premium. She has organised valuable training for all staff and will update Governors of new improved support for our children in receipt of PP monies, including the above Pupil Premium Ambition Statement.
Mrs Siann Fortt was elected as the governor with delegated responsibility for pupil premium, however the overall responsibility for Pupil Premium spending remains with the Local Governing Body.
Please use the links in the side panel of this page to find out how Pupil Premium has/is being spent in our school and the outcomes for our Pupil Premium children.