How we promote Economic Equity at Dean Park
At Dean Park we have a policy and promise that No Child Misses Out due to socio-economic poverty. Financial support is available to ensure every child can access wider achievement opportunities e.g. clubs, camps, excursions and activities.
What is PEF?
The Pupil Equity Fund (PEF) is part of the Scottish Attainment Challenge. It is additional funding that is based on Free School Meal entitlement and is used to target and close the poverty related attainment gap. This funding is allocated directly to schools to help us provide the best possible opportunities for children’s learning and make improvements in literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing.
Who is PEF for?
Pupil Equity Funding is designed to support children in Primary 1 to S3 who are eligible and registered for free school meals. It is there to help the school support children who may experience barriers to learning and who might be falling behind or not getting the same chances in their education because their family is experiencing poverty or other financial difficulties. However, Headteachers can also use their judgement and wider resources to support other children in their school who are affected by poverty.
How much additional funding to we receive?
The amount allocated depends on the number of pupils who are registered for free school meals. The school will receive an extra £1200 for every child registered. This amount is in addition to our normal budget. You can see a list of how much each local authority receives here: https://www.gov.scot/policies/schools/pupil-attainment/
How is the money spent at Dean Park?
The funding is used for activities and interventions that will lead to improvements in Health & Wellbeing and improved progress in literacy and numeracy. Headteachers can use the funding in different ways, as long as these approaches have been shown to improve outcomes for children affected by poverty.
Our Pupil Equity Funding has enabled us to:
- Employ additional Pupil Support Assistants to provide individualised and targeted support to identified pupils.
- Develop a nurture space to provide extra support and nurture for all children who may need it.
- Provide learning interventions to support children in specific areas of numeracy, literacy and health & Wellbeing.
- Ensure that identified children have the opportunity to access extra-curricular activities such the PTA clubs (sparkle club?)
- Supply school uniform jumpers for all identified children in order to help parents meet additional costs associated with school.
How do we measure the impact of this funding?
Schools have to demonstrate the difference the funding has made to our learners. The impact on pupil progress is measured and tracked over time in different ways. This may be done by looking at the data from teacher judgement and assessments, standardised assessments, tracking and pass-on information and through discussions between class teachers and SLT at termly pupil progress and wellbeing meetings.
How else do we promote economic equity?
Confidential financial support – please contact the Head Teacher for support at any time. Our PTA provide us with an Opportunities Fund each year to help families.
We have a uniform swap shop where families can access uniform.
Free breakfast club spaces are available for families who need them.
Dean Park Primary School 