Pupil Premium

The Pupil Premium is additional funding allocated to schools to support the learning, attainment and wider development of pupils who may face disadvantage.

At Cherry Tree Academy, we use this funding carefully and strategically to ensure all pupils are given the opportunity to thrive to be the best they can be, regardless of background or circumstance.

Pupils eligible for Pupil Premium funding include:

FSM – pupils who are currently eligible for Free School Meals or have been eligible at any point in the last six years
LAC – Looked After Children
Previously Looked After Children

Statement of Intent

At Cherry Tree Academy, we have high aspirations for all our pupils and are committed to ensuring every child achieves their full potential. We recognise that some children may face additional challenges due to social, emotional or economic circumstances; however, we firmly believe that these barriers can be overcome through high-quality teaching, targeted support and a strong focus on wellbeing.

Our approach to Pupil Premium is rooted in a tiered model of support, which prioritises:

high-quality teaching for all pupils
targeted academic support where gaps are identified
wider strategies to address non-academic barriers, including emotional wellbeing, communication needs and social development

Identification of need is based on robust assessment and professional knowledge of our pupils, not assumptions. Our staff know our children as individuals, not labels. Every interaction matters, and we are committed to fostering a strong sense of belonging, safety and inclusion for all.

We use Pupil Premium funding, which is additional to our core school budget, to address inequalities between disadvantaged pupils and their peers, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most.

Supporting the Whole Child

In addition to pupils formally eligible for Pupil Premium, we recognise that other vulnerable pupils — including those with a social worker or young carers — may face similar barriers to learning. The strategies outlined in this statement are designed to support pupils’ academic progress alongside their emotional and social wellbeing, as we recognise that successful learning depends on both.

Our commitment to the Thrive Approach plays a key role in supporting disadvantaged pupils, helping them to develop emotional resilience, confidence and positive relationships. Alongside this, our Speech and Language Provision supports pupils who require additional help with communication, enabling them to access learning more fully and develop essential life skills.

Our Approach

High-quality teaching is at the heart of our Pupil Premium strategy. Evidence shows this has the greatest impact on narrowing attainment gaps, while also benefiting all pupils (Education Endowment Foundation). This is complemented by carefully planned interventions and support that are regularly reviewed to ensure effectiveness.

Our intention is that:

disadvantaged pupils make strong progress from their starting points
gaps in attainment are narrowed
non-disadvantaged pupils continue to achieve highly alongside their peers

Our Objectives

We aim to:

Remove barriers to learning linked to social and economic disadvantage
Ensure all pupils develop strong reading skills to access the full curriculum
Develop pupils’ confidence and ability to communicate effectively
Support social and emotional wellbeing and build resilience
Provide access to enrichment opportunities that broaden experiences and raise aspirations

Achieving Our Objectives

To achieve these aims, we will:

Invest in high-quality professional development to ensure effective quality-first teaching
Provide timely, targeted interventions to address gaps in learning
Use funding to ensure all pupils can access trips, visits and first-hand learning experiences
Offer enrichment opportunities including sport, music and wider curriculum activities
Provide nurture and wellbeing support to meet pupils’ emotional and social needs

Monitoring and Impact

Schools are required to publish information outlining how Pupil Premium funding is spent and the impact it has on pupils’ attainment and progress.

The statement below details Cherry Tree Academy’s use of Pupil Premium funding, our strategy for the current academic year, and the impact of funding spent in the previous year.