Pupil Premium

Free School Meals & Pupil Premium

For more information and to check your eligibility, please visit Free School Meals Application - Buckinghamshire. If you believe you may qualify, kindly complete the Free School Meal & Pupil Premium Application Form located at the bottom of the page and return it to the School Office.

Overview of the School

The Pupil Premium is additional funding allocated to publicly funded schools in England aimed at raising the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and closing the achievement gap between them and their peers. According to national data published by the Department for Education (DfE), based on the 2023 census, the national average for pupils receiving free school meals in state-funded primary schools is 24.6%. In contrast, Hannah Ball Academy has a significantly higher rate of 32%.

The provision of Pupil Premium is closely monitored by our Deputy Principal, who is responsible for liaising with eligible pupils and staff to ensure effective utilisation of the funding.

High-Quality Teaching

The quality of teaching and learning is paramount to the success of our pupils, particularly those receiving Pupil Premium. To ensure that all pupils benefit from a ‘Challenge for All’ approach, a substantial portion of this year’s funding has been allocated to INSET days, focused on enhancing teaching practises and fostering inspired learners.

Pastoral Support

We provide pastoral support aimed at improving attainment by addressing the social and emotional dimensions of learning. Our nurture groups specifically target children who require additional support, focusing on improving attitudes to learning, social relationships, and overall attainment. Sessions are conducted twice a week by highly trained Teaching Assistants (TAs) and overseen by a dedicated Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). This provision helps children express their emotions, strengthen family relationships, and receive appropriate support within the school environment.

Curriculum Enrichment

We enrich our curriculum through various activities, including workshops, guest speakers, subsidised school trips, and residential visits. Additionally, we offer a range of after-school enrichment clubs at no charge to enhance our pupils' learning experiences.

Targeted Support for Learning

Targeted interventions are delivered by Teaching Assistants (TAs) to accelerate learning and increase attainment for pupils whose progress falls below expectations. These interventions are tailored to each pupil based on assessments and the teacher’s knowledge of the child. Examples of interventions include comprehension groups, Rainbow Road, and nurture groups.

Extended School Support

To support working parents, we provide facilities such as Breakfast Club and After-School Clubs.