Premium

In every lesson we provide the highest quality learning possible. Staff are responsive to children who are part of our pupil premium funding and recognise underachievement for these students.  We plan to ensure that students perform well at every opportunity by using research from the EEF to inform areas such as marking/ feedback and collaborative learning.

Leaders within the school are focused on pupil premium performance as part of the strategy within the Smestow Academy. After each data collection Head of Departments and SLT reports identify where groups of pupil premium children are not doing as well as those who are not part of the funding.  Members of the Governing body hold the Senior Leadership Team to account on how they spend the pupil premium grant as well as the outcomes for these students.

Our Heads of Year, along with the SLT leads work closely with our attendance team to identify pupil premium students whose attendance is affecting their academic performance and attendance is causing concern. At each data collection the SLT Leads for each year group and the Assistant Head for Behavior and Attendance focus on groups of students to support their attendance to improve. The Academy works closely with Wolverhampton City Council to provide the extra support of an Educational Welfare Officer.  95% attendance is the minimum expectation of the Smestow School Students.

Each year group in the Academy is led by a Pastoral Head of Year and a SLT Lead who works closely with students to identify worries and concerns for them. They are supported by the Academies Safeguarding Officer who is available to discuss student concerns.  There is a particular focus on those who are pupil premium students

Smestow Staff offer a variety of lunchtime and after-school activities to provide enrichment opportunities for students.  These include intervention catch up, music, art, sport etc.  The Academy also values providing opportunities for trips and visits to support pupil premium students learning and experiences. Where appropriate these are subsidised for identified pupil premium students.

Effective CEIAG is an important part of our provision at Smestow. We are working towards becoming a Careers Hub school, which will support our well provided careers programme as well as 1:1 interview support for our students to help them decide on their destinations. Our NEET figures are consistently below the national average figures.

Pupil premium students are encouraged to reflect on their possible choices as part of the Smestow Careers Programme and staff encourage children to aim high.