The Government classes disadvantaged students as those who have been in receipt of Free School Meals at any stage in the last 6 years (Ever6). Children who are Looked After (CLA) are also classed as disadvantaged. The Government has allocated a fixed sum of money to all schools based on the number of Ever6 and CLA students on roll. During the 2020/21 academic year this amount was £955 per student for Ever6, £2345 for CLA and £310 for children whose parents are in the armed services (Service Premium). This funding is in addition to main school funding, and the Government believes that this is the best way to ‘address the current underlying inequalities between children eligible for free school meals (FSM) and their wealthier peers’.

King James I Academy believes in providing the best possible education for children of all abilities and from a range of different backgrounds. We are a fully inclusive school offering a wide range of activities both in school and as extra-curricular opportunities.

The pupil premium allows us as a school to provide significant support to disadvantaged students, enabling them to further their learning opportunities, and in many instances improving provision for students who do not qualify for the pupil premium grant.

We employ a range of specialist staff to engage our disadvantaged students and provide them with the support necessary to allow them to fully access the curriculum and maximise their learning opportunities.

As well as taught lessons, dedicated staff provide a range of extra-curricular opportunities for students; with sports clubs, drama, dance and enterprise being prominent in addition to raising achievement in academic subjects, particularly English and Maths

We are able to plan our activities in the knowledge that we are supporting all students in making progress in a safe and fully inclusive environment.