Pupil Premium Plus for adopted children... How is yours spent?

[oinker]

Hi,
Is there anyone out there who has experience of this funding and how best it could help now for the future? Any advice greatly appreciated.

My school has received DS grant and I have been approached by the head. I've been asked how I would like the money spent. I just thought this money would disappear into funding the school for indiscriminate things.

Any ideas on how best to have it spent on DS?
He's being measured for a Violin next week. I thought Violin lessons would be of benefit. Music is a great discipline. He's shown an interest in playing musical instruments. DS has no educational or behavioural issues so I'm not too sure how best to have this money spent on him. He's 6 years old.

DD's school have not spent a penny of it yet!

They asked me last April if I had any ideas about what I think it should be spent on and I asked for support in numeracy.

I've heard nothing since.

DS's school don't consult parents but they did provide some counselling last year. That has stopped so I don't know what they are doing now.

I have two adopted DC.

DC1 age 8 has substantial needs and a statement so I have mentally counted his premium against the significant support school are already putting in.

DC2 is 6 like yours and currently doing very nicely thank you at school. While we did joke about how many pink Barbies her pupil premium would buy her, I've been happy in her case not to insist that it's spent directly on her.
I think they have to put the pp money into a specific pot, and show that it's been spent to improve outcomes for kids who are eligible. Don't think they have to show that x amount of money has been spent on each child.
So I think if your DS is currently doing well your options are either to let his pp be taken up into the general pot , or to stick out for something like violin lessons. Don't be shy though - if music lessons would make a difference to him, he's entitled to them!
A third alternative might be to suggest attachment training for staff - not necessarily that your DS needs this, but it might increase their skills around adopted children and get them ready for the next family!

Hi, I am a teacher and not an adopter but I think the idea of having it spent on attachment or other relevant training is brilliant - will help your child possibly but also all adopted children those staff subsequently work with.

Music also sounds like a good option if you genuinely feel there is no pressing need for it to be spent on literacy/numeracy support or similar.

When they are older and at secondary it can be used for trips, which you may not need it spent on but it is nice to know!

The Sutton Trust/EEF Toolkit is a really good resource to inform the PPP spend.

Broadly speaking, 1:1 tuition (which need not take place at school- the school can buy in private tuition to happen at home if appropriate) is an excellent use of the money- as Teen and Tween says, the money is not to 'fix problems', but to ensure that children reach their academic potential. For some children, extra-curricular clubs and activities do this by broadening horizons and raising aspirations.

Using the money to train staff in attachment issues is a great investment, although I would avoid training just one member of staff as the goal is to create an 'emotionally friendly' school environment, so the knowledge should be cascaded to all staff. Having someone come in an run a session for as many staff as possible produces the best results, IME.

It really depends on the child's needs and strengths.

When thinking about the spending of the PPP, a good rule of thumb is that if it's part of the school's universal offer (i.e. it is available for all pupils), then it is not a good use of the money. It should provide support over and above that which is available to all.

Thank you all for your responses.

Mumsnet is the best source of information. This has really helped. We have a meeting with the head tomorrow so will put something together for this.
He's being measured up for his violin so I'm pleased things are progressing.

You have all been really helpful.