Pupil Premium

The school was recently inspected in October 2022 by OFSTED and continues to be judged as a ‘Good’ school. Ofsted recognised the successful provision that the school makes for disadvantaged students.

‘Pupils relish involvement in the school’s wider curriculum. They have opportunities to work with local employers and can attend masterclasses about forensic science and marine biology. The school helps pupils to learn life skills, for example while camping when working towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award. These, and other experiences, bolster their self-confidence and resilience.

Pupils talk positively about their learning. Their teachers enjoy teaching them. If any pupils find tasks difficult, then they receive effective help. Pupils behave well and strive to meet their teachers’ expectations.

School leaders have designed an ambitious and well-planned curriculum…. Throughout the school, the structured approach to curriculum design helps pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND, to learn key knowledge.’ – OFSTED Oct 2022

Previous to this recent inspection, strong provision for disadvantaged students has been recognised as a strength in a number of external reviews, including the 2017 Ofsted inspection (Good), the 2019 Pupil Premium Review and the subsequence Pupil Premium visit from national expert, Marc Rowland.

‘The school also makes effective use of the pupil premium funding to support disadvantaged pupils. Leaders do a detailed analysis of the issues that prevent pupils from fulfilling their potential and draw up plans to ensure that the funding is spent to address these issues successfully. The school monitors closely the impact of these plans and records show that disadvantaged pupils benefit from them, both in terms of progress and personal development.

The progress of disadvantaged pupils, like that of other pupils, is improving. The trends for current pupils in key stages 3 and 4 show that the support the school provides for disadvantaged pupils allows them to make progress that is increasingly in line with other pupils. The overall progress of disadvantaged pupils in 2016 was good.’ – OFSTED May 2017

“The academy is on journey of improving outcomes for all students at all levels with an emphasis on disadvantaged students through changes to procedures and raising the profile of Pupil Premium students to ensure that there is ownership and accountability at all levels… The Principal, the leadership team and staff were honest and outward-looking regarding the academic progress of disadvantaged students in comparison to other students within the academy and that the profile of Pupil Premium students has been raised significantly over the last 18 months in all aspects of monitoring and support to ensure positive outcomes.

From all discussions, there is a strong drive and commitment to improve the outcomes for PP students and all staff show a clear passion and determination to get the very best outcomes for students.” – Statement from the PP Review, November 2019

There has been a clear journey of improving outcomes and attainment for our disadvantaged students over the last 5 years. This year, there were significant increases in the attainment and progress of our disadvantaged students in comparison to 2019 exam results. This is due to the focus on high quality teaching, curriculum sequencing and the wide range of strategies and interventions that have taken place to support disadvantaged students.

Progress for disadvantaged students at STMCA is well above national average, and the gap between the progress of disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged students at STMCA is significantly smaller than national average. Progress for disadvantaged students at STMCA in English and Open tier qualifications have both increased Summer 2023 in comparison to 2019.

• Pupils who are recorded as eligible for free school meals, or have been recorded as eligible in the past 6 years, including eligible children of families who have no recourse to public funds (NRPF)
• Children looked after by local authorities, referred to as looked-after children
• Children previously looked after by a local authority or other state care, referred to as previously looked-after children

A detailed financial plan is produced each year outlining the different ways in which funds are allocated to support education. These are explained in full on the Pupil Premium Strategy 2023-26 which is available on our website.

• Additional support in making academic progress- a bespoke curriculum, a wide range of evidence-based intervention programmes, an enriching programme for our most able students, smaller class sizes, staffing, educational equipment and resources.
• Assistance with uniform, technology and resources, where required.
• Provision of dedicated academic and pastoral staff and mentoring programmes to promote the academic progress of disadvantaged students.
• Assistance with the finance for educational visits.
• Provision of a wide range of enrichment opportunities and residential experiences for disadvantaged students.

If your child does qualify for the Pupil Premium, you will have received a letter in the Autumn term regarding this. A link to the letter is also available on the school website, please see the Pupil Premium Information Letter.

• Please liaise with your child’s Student Support Officer or Head of Year regarding particular support and how the school assists your child to fulfil their potential.
• If you think that you may be entitled to receive the Pupil Premium for your child please use the link on the eligibility for additional funding letter or through the ‘Free School Meals’ page on our school website to apply for Free School Meals. This will also help the school to claim the additional Pupil Premium funding for your child to support their academic progress in school.
• A link to the full Pupil Premium Strategy 2023-26 (updated September 2024)including the financial plan for the year ahead is available on the website alongside an evaluation of the Strategy and financial plan from 2022/23 Pupil Premium Strategy with Evaluation 2023/24