Pupil premium

Pupil premium is additional money delegated to the academy and is matched to the number of pupils who are eligible for free school meals and who are children of service families. At Samuel Barlow Primary we use our funding for a range of purposes suited to the individual needs of our children.

How we intend to use the grant

Early reading, language and phonics support.

  • Read Write Inc programme daily in target groups.
  • Nuffield Early Language Intervention: group and 1:1 sessions.
  • Investment in books to read at home.

Catch-up phonics and reading interventions for lowest 20%.

  • Phonics screening for all year 3 pupils.
  • Bespoke programme designed and delivered three times a week to ensure that gaps in phonetic knowledge are addressed.
  • Phonics resources to support in English sessions in year 3.
  • Intensive reading intervention – phonics, 1:1 reading, reading fluency, reading speed for targeted pupils.

Implementation of core curriculum slightly adapted to provide students with core focus and core knowledge in key curriculum areas.

  • Focus on PSHE (C19- wellbeing).
  • Core skills in all areas – taking diagnostics to assess a starting point.
  • Focused intervention with teachers and TAs to ensure that gaps and misconceptions are addressed.

PiXL transition package DTTR, swift intervention as required by diagnostic assessments.

  • Transition package used to determine gaps in learning.
  • QLA and papers set by assessment calendar to enable tracking and gap identification.
  • Support staff used to provide swift and flexible intervention as required.

Social and emotional support to ensure children can access learning in the academy (family support worker and TAs).

  • Set up a new curriculum for children in the learning hub.
  • Provide a bespoke programme of intervention.
  • Support staff used to provide intervention as required.

How we will assess the effect of this expenditure on the educational attainment of our children

Teachers and the raising standards lead will work together to analyse and compare data to autumn baselines to check that gaps in learning have been addressed and children are on track to meet their targets.

  • Phonics target is met or exceeded.
  • Communication and language end-of-year target met.
  • Children make typical or better progress in communication and language.

PE and sports premium

All young people should have the opportunity to live healthy and active lives. A positive experience of sport and physical activity at a young age can build a lifetime habit of participation and is central to meeting the government’s ambitions for a world-class education system.

The PE and sport premium can help primary schools to achieve this aim, providing primary schools with £320m of government funding to make additional and sustainable improvements to the quality of the PE, physical activity and sport offered through their core budgets. It is allocated directly to schools so they have the flexibility to use it in the way that works best for their pupils.

PE and sports premium report 2024-25

Funding and expenditure

Total amount of PE and premium funding received (2024-25): £17,800

Breakdown of spend:

Total spend on external activities: £0

Total spend on CPD: £17,600

Total spend on internal activities: £200

Impact of the funding

Impact on pupils participation and attainment in PE and sport:

Investing heavily in continuing professional development (CPD) by incorporating professional sports coaches into team teaching has had a transformative impact on pupil participation and attainment in PE. The presence of skilled coaches not only elevated the quality of instruction but also inspired both staff and students, fostering a culture of enthusiasm and engagement around physical education. Pupils were exposed to a broader range of sports, which increased opportunities for all abilities and interests, including inclusive PE tailored for SEND children. This inclusive approach helped break down barriers to participation, ensuring every pupil felt valued and capable. As a result, schools saw a marked improvement in both the confidence and competence of students in PE, with many showing increased motivation, skill development, and a more positive attitude towards physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

How this will be sustained

  • To ensure the long-term sustainability of this impactful approach, the school has embedded the use of professional sports coaches into its strategic development plan using an internal member of staff from the Diverse Academies trust, aligning CPD with whole-school priorities. Staff continue to benefit from regular mentoring and upskilling opportunities, allowing them to confidently deliver high-quality PE independently over time.
  • Partnerships with local sports organisations have been established to maintain access to expert coaching and resources.
  • Inclusive PE remains a core focus, with ongoing investment in adaptive equipment and training to support SEND pupils.
  • By fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and inclusivity, the school is well-positioned to maintain high levels of pupil engagement and achievement in PE for years to come.

Swimming and water safety

In line with the national curriculum requirements for swimming and water safety, the data for the current cohort of year 6 pupils is shown below:

  • Swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25 metres: 65%
  • Able to use a range of strokes effectively: 50%
  • Able to perform safe self-rescue: 45%

PE and sports premium report 2023-24