PP+ : what does your school spend it on?

[Gobbledeygook]

I’m in the enviable position that I’m being called in to discuss with the head teacher what the PP+ funds should be spent on in our primary school.
None of my AC have presented with any evident issues (as yet) so I haven’t educated myself in the potential of PP+ spending. Although having said that, my youngest has not managed to keep up with his peers in his first term at school so that could turn out to be an early signal of something that will need attention.
Anyway what I’m hoping to hear from you adoptive mumsnetters are some good ideas to form the basis of our discussion. Many thanks.

[Ted27]

PP for your children or the whole school ?

What is your child behind in - maybe some after school or lunchtime activity to address that

[Moomooboo]

Personally wouldn’t go for something they are behind in, rather something they enjoy - music lessons, sporting, computing, a trip for the class...

I don’t mean to disagree with Ted27 - sorry! I just think if they struggle with something and then they get more of it it can have the opposite effect and make them hate it even more. Unless it’s like - maths on the playground maybe - or outdoor literacy... not just sat with a TA being asked to read again!

[Ted27]

PP funds are intended for activities to close the gap in attainment. Having said that I don't know how you got sitting with a TA from my post

[Gobbledeygook]

Hi Ted - the question, I believe, is being aimed at all PP+ parents, to see if they’re happy with the way it’s currently being spent, and also to get ideas. My idea was to make suggestions that would benefit all kids.

[Maiyakat]

DD gets some 1 to 1 time with a TA to focus on whatever area she needs a bit of extra help with at that time. She also joins in a couple of extra input groups on things like listening and gets some time with the school 'therapy' dog.

[grasspigeons]

help fund a hslw with training in play therapy
nuture groups /rooms
having trained play workers work with children at playtime rather than just supervisors and having access to nuture room at lunch times
targeted teacher run clubs' like science club to raise attainment
stuff like ELSA training or Elklan for a number of stuff (lots of PP children seem to lag with language development)
subsidising clubs, trips, uniform, music lessons, breakfast clubs depending on individual families needs

I'd expect PP strategy to have general stuff and stuff specific to each child.

[Moomooboo]

No I didn’t get it from your post Ted it’s just what happens at pretty much every school I’ve ever worked at - and it makes me angry that kids are taken out of lessons they enjoy to sit at a computer screen to go on a programme called Lexia - which they basically misbehave through because they want to be in the PE/Drama/Music/Food tech class they’ve been removed from...!

PP also funds music lessons in my area and the music service provides a reduction in cost. It also funds a maths tutor and an English tutor for year 11s... who take them out of unimportant lessons. I was just stating my preference!

I think you’re v lucky to have a head teacher ask you the question.

[Yolande7]

My kids get free music lessons. They have been playing two instruments, one for 6 years, another one for 2 years and it has been incredibly helpful in many ways: focus, fine motor skills, self-confidence, frustration tolerance, grit, etc. We have lots of fun practicing eg. with me singing (terribly) to their songs, which they love. It makes them feel better about their mistakes and they find it funny, how unashamedly awful I am. They are tweens now and very good at their instruments, which they are very proud of and which has even eased the transition to secondary school. It has been (and still is) a lot of work though, but has taught them so much more than playing an instrument!

[silentcrow]

Extra sports at our school - sometimes before school but usually at lunchtime. We're in an area where about 50% of the school can afford to join outside clubs, so it's seen as an effort to balance up that access. Plus health outcomes are poor in general here so it's access to outdoor space, exercise etc. It's not compulsory but pretty much all the kids take up the offer.

We're very lucky to have a class teacher skilled in music, a thriving choir and a subsidised music service, so don't really need PP to be spent on that, but I'd very much support it if we did. Access to music is really important. I also know of some schools with a very high %PP have invested in tablets for the whole class with literacy boosters like Vocabulary Ninja or TTRockstars for maths. Others have refurbished, or even created from scratch, their libraries.

[WisdomTeeth]

Anything that develops confidence outside the academic curriculum, music, sports opportunity, drama....

It’s confidence and self-esteem that can close that gap

[fasparent]

May find this useful www.pac-uk your LA may be registered with them.

[fasparent]

educational support pac-uk

[Gobbledeygook]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions - they are all really helpful. And FASparent, there is a great document covering this subject in the PAC educational guide. This will all really help me to make good use of this meeting with the head teacher.

[UnderTheNameOfSanders]

My understanding is it should be targeted at the PPP child or the PP group, but other children can piggyback onto it.

Primary:
English & Maths intervention with a TA.
ELSA support.
OT support.

Secondary:
English intervention with a teacher, by being removed from a non core lesson.

[fasparent]

There is also a link too PP+ and after adoption support at this site //www.frg.org.uk