HEADTEACHERS have welcomed a Government cash reward for using pupil premiums to boost results of disadvantaged pupils.
The Government launched the pupil premium with a fund of £625m in 2011 to help schools try to boost the attainment of pupils who are classed as disadvantaged, based on a number of factors including family income.
Now three schools in Oxfordshire are among 14 in the South East that have been handed a £5,000 reward by Schools Minister David Laws following Key Stage 4 results last month.
The schools that have been praised for boosting the results of students on pupil premiums are the Cherwell School in Oxford, Didcot Girls’ School and Wallingford School.
As a result of being highlighted, they are now entitled to apply for prizes worth up to £250,000 – as part of a share of up to £4m nationally – and will find out next month if they have been successful.
Didcot Girls’ School headteacher Rachael Warwick said about a fifth of the 1,000 pupils received the pupil premium, with the school receiving about £900 per student per year.
She added: “We have developed the school culture to think hard about prioritising progress for disadvantaged students. We ask staff to mark their books first, and subsidise school trips.
“If we did win a prize, we would pump it back into pupil premium provision.”
Wallingford School headteacher Wyll Willis said: “My deputy, Gwyn Williams, has made the pupil premium a big focus for over 12 months and it has clearly paid off.
“The pupils involved come out of lessons to work with teachers that make the biggest difference for them, and sometimes work is done in the holidays with these youngsters.”
Mr Laws said: “I hope all schools will continue to learn from this excellent practice.”
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