Steep Church of England VC Primary School

At Steep, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils, irrespective of their background, starting points or the challenges they face, achieve highly, thrive and are fully included in all aspects of school life. Through our pupil premium strategy, we aim to remove barriers to learning, improve attendance and engagement, and ensure that disadvantaged pupils achieve strong outcomes across the curriculum, including those who are already demonstrating high levels of attainment.

We recognise that disadvantage can take many forms and that some children face additional vulnerabilities which may impact their learning, wellbeing or participation. Our approach is therefore rooted in understanding the individual needs of children and responding proactively to ensure that every child feels safe, valued, included and able to succeed. We are committed to supporting vulnerable pupils regardless of whether they meet the formal criteria for pupil premium funding.

Governors and school leaders work together to develop, implement and evaluate a clear and evidence-informed pupil premium strategy. Funding is carefully targeted to address identified barriers to achievement and participation and is reviewed regularly through pupil progress meetings, school improvement planning, governor monitoring and professional dialogue with staff. This ensures that resources are used effectively to secure positive outcomes for disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils.

High-quality, inclusive teaching is at the heart of our approach. We believe that every child can achieve highly when teaching is ambitious, adaptive and responsive to individual needs. We focus on developing strong classroom practice, ensuring that teachers identify barriers early and provide appropriate support so that all pupils can access, engage with and succeed in the curriculum. This approach benefits all learners while making the greatest contribution to improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and narrowing attainment gaps.

Our strategy also places a strong emphasis on belonging, attendance, wellbeing and engagement, recognising that children learn best when they feel connected, supported and understood. We work closely with families and external agencies where appropriate to ensure that children receive the support they need to flourish both academically and personally.

The pupil premium strategy forms an integral part of our wider school improvement and inclusion agenda. Through a culture of high expectations, ambitious provision and effective support, we strive to ensure that disadvantaged and vulnerable pupils achieve well, participate fully in school life and are exceptionally well prepared for the next stage of their education.