Plymouth schools get government recognition

Two Plymouth primary schools are celebrating getting government recognition for their work with disadvantaged pupils.

Boringdon Primary school and High View School have both been congratulated by Schools Minister David laws after qualifying for the 2015 Pupil Premium Awards following key stage 2 results published last month.

Their results showed that they have made or continue to make impressive improvements in the attainment of their disadvantaged pupils. Both schools have won £1,000 and High View has been invited to apply for larger prizes worth up to £100,000.

Final prizes will be awarded at a ceremony hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in March.

The Pupil Premium Awards reward schools which are able to provide evidence of effective strategies to improve the achievement of disadvantaged pupils and show sustained improvement in raising their attainment. The pupil premium is extra funding schools receive for every disadvantaged pupil they teach.

Schools Minister David Laws said: “The pupil premium is building a fairer society with opportunity for everyone.

“I would encourage all of the primary schools who have received a £1,000 prize to share their achievements with other schools so they can learn from their strengths and experience.

“I hope all schools will continue to learn from this excellent practice and ensure they are using their pupil premium effectively, so that they too may be in the running for a prize in 2016.”

High View School is situated in an area of significant social and economic deprivation but has benefited from a programme of regeneration and a new school building. It is recognised by Ofsted as an Outstanding School and SATs results over time show that children are performing above national expectations by the time they leave the school.

Headteacher, Kim Dorian-Kemp said: “We are delighted that High View has been recognised for ensuring that our pupils do not suffer an educational disadvantage, no matter what their circumstances. We pride ourselves in the early identification of barriers to learning and use the extra funding in a creative and meaningful way so that it makes a real difference to the life chances of our children.”

Boringdon Primary School is a two form entry school in Plympton. It has been recognised by Ofsted as an Outstanding School.

Headteacher, Ian Cload said: “Boringdon has always had a very simple ethos which is to do the best by every child given the resources available regardless of their background. This is shared and practised by the whole school team. We pride ourselves in knowing our children and families really well and we constantly monitor all the children’s progress. We are a school with very limited resources and the £1000 is most welcome and will be put to very good use.”

Councillor Sue McDonald Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health said: “I’m really pleased that two of our schools have been recognised for their outstanding commitment and dedication to ensuring the excellent progress of children that have benefitted from this extra funding.

"Both High View School and Boringdon Primary are doing their upmost to ensure that the attainment of their disadvantaged pupils does not fall below those of their classmates.”