Pupil Premium
At Tavistock College, we are deeply committed to ensuring that every student—regardless of their background—has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and personally. We recognise that some students face greater barriers to success due to economic hardship, family disruption, or other challenges beyond their control.
National research consistently shows that children from disadvantaged backgrounds often encounter additional obstacles in education. These challenges can lead to lower academic outcomes and reduced life chances. Indeed, after prior attainment, socio-economic disadvantage remains the most significant predictor of a child’s future prospects.
We believe that background should never be a barrier to success. Our mission is to create an inclusive and supportive environment where all students can flourish, and where the gap in outcomes between disadvantaged students and their peers is actively addressed and reduced.
Through a combination of high-quality teaching, targeted support, and a strong pastoral system, we aim to remove the barriers that can limit opportunity. We are determined to ensure that every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
To support this aim, the Pupil Premium is a vital source of funding provided by the government. It is allocated to schools to support students who are currently eligible for Free School Meals, have been eligible at any point in the past six years, are looked after by the local authority, or have been adopted from care.
In addition, the Recovery Premium—a one-off grant introduced in the 2021–22 academic year—has been provided to all state-funded schools to help deliver evidence-based strategies that support disadvantaged pupils in recovering from the impact of the pandemic.
At Tavistock College, we have developed a comprehensive three-year strategy that outlines how we will use this additional funding to address the key challenges faced by our disadvantaged students and ensure they have every opportunity to succeed.
We are also proud to be working in partnership with the University of Exeter and the Southwest Social Mobility Commission to pilot the Equity Scorecard—a self-assessment tool designed specifically for schools. This innovative tool introduces a sharper focus on disadvantage into the accountability system, enabling schools to reflect on their practices, identify gaps, and take targeted action to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
Intent
Our intention is that all pupils, irrespective of their background or the challenges they face, make good progress and achieve high attainment across the curriculum. High-quality teaching is at the heart of our approach, as this is proven to have the greatest impact on closing the disadvantage attainment gap. Our strategy also ensures that non-disadvantaged pupils benefit from the same high standards and opportunities.
We are committed to:
- Removing barriers to learning created by poverty, family circumstance, and background.
- Supporting wellbeing and mental health through robust pastoral systems.
- Providing enriching and exciting learning opportunities that broaden horizons.
- Ensuring all students can access extra-curricular activities and educational trips.
- Delivering targeted academic support and interventions where needed.
Our approach is responsive to both common challenges and individual needs, and we will continue to refine our strategy based on evidence, data, and feedback from students, families, and staff.
Please contact Barry Palmer (Vice Principal - Disadvantaged and Pupil Premium lead) at b.palmer@dmatschools.org.uk for further information and support.