What is Pupil Premium?

At Waterloo Primary Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every child is known, valued and supported to achieve well, regardless of their background or circumstances. The Pupil Premium Grant plays an important role in helping us remove barriers to learning and widen opportunities so that all children can thrive.

Our approach to Pupil Premium is rooted in high expectations, strong relationships and a belief that children should never feel defined by their circumstances. We focus on building confidence, independence and aspiration, alongside strong academic foundations, so that every child is prepared for the next stage of their education and life beyond Waterloo.

The Pupil Premium is additional government funding allocated to schools to support pupils who may face disadvantage. Funding is provided for pupils who:

• have been eligible for free school meals at any point in the last six years
• are, or have been, looked after by a local authority
• have been adopted from care or are subject to a Special Guardianship or Residence Order
• have parents who are currently serving in the armed forces

What is the purpose of Pupil Premium?

Nationally, statistics show that children in receipt of FSM do less well than their peers in tests and exams. The aim of this money is to try to close that attainment gap by allowing the school to direct additional resources towards individual learning needs.

The current funding allocation per pupil is:

• Free School Meals (FSM): £1,385 per pupil
• Looked After Children (LAC): £2,410 per pupil
• Armed Forces Children (AFC): £320 per pupil

Our approach and use of funding

We are required to publish how much Pupil Premium funding we receive, how it is spent and the impact it has on pupils’ learning and development.

At Waterloo, decisions about Pupil Premium spending are guided by a clear understanding of our children and their individual needs. Our focus is on high-quality teaching for all, supported by timely, targeted intervention where needed. We monitor progress carefully and review support regularly to ensure it is making a meaningful difference.

Pupil Premium funding supports a range of approaches, including:

• additional teaching and targeted support in key areas such as reading, writing and mathematics
• early intervention, particularly in Nursery and the Early Years, so that needs are addressed as early as possible
• pastoral and wellbeing support, recognising that children learn best when they feel safe, secure and ready to learn
• access to enrichment opportunities, including extra-curricular activities and outdoor learning, which help to build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging

We also work closely with families and, where appropriate, external services and community partners to ensure support is joined-up and responsive.

Impact of Pupil Premium

The impact of Pupil Premium funding is reviewed regularly. At Waterloo, it supports strong progress, positive attitudes to learning and improved confidence and engagement. We are committed to ensuring that funding is used effectively and that it continues to support pupils’ academic achievement, wellbeing and wider development.

You can read our full Pupil Premium Strategy below, which provides further detail about how the funding is used and the difference it makes for our pupils.