Pupil Premium

At The Mill Academy, we believe that every child, regardless of their background, should have equal access to a rich and ambitious curriculum that enables them to reach their full potential.

The Pupil Premium is a government initiative that provides additional funding for schools to support children who are more likely to face barriers to achievement. This includes pupils who are, or have been, eligible for free school meals, looked after children, and children of service families. Schools are not directed on how to spend this funding but are expected to use it to raise attainment and narrow the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers.

Identified barriers and challenges at The Mill Academy:

• Limited speaking, listening, and communication skills on entry to EYFS.

• More able disadvantaged pupils not achieving as highly as their non-disadvantaged peers.

• Wellbeing challenges for disadvantaged children, often linked to low household aspirations and generational unemployment.

• Attendance rates for disadvantaged children being lower than their peers.

School leaders closely monitor the impact of our spending plans throughout the year. This includes:

• Ensuring consistently good or better quality teaching.

• Reviewing pupil work, progress, and moderation outcomes.

• Holding termly challenge meetings.

• Monitoring attendance and implementing support strategies with the Education Welfare Officer.

Impact is reported termly to governors through the Headteacher’s report and self-evaluation processes. Governors hold the school to account by monitoring outcomes and attending challenge meetings.

Sports Premium

At The Mill Academy, we believe that high-quality PE and sport are fundamental to supporting our pupils’ physical health, wellbeing, and personal development. Our aim is to use the Primary PE and Sport Premium to:

• Develop and extend the range of PE and sport opportunities available.

• Build capacity and sustainability so that future cohorts continue to benefit.

How we use the Sports Premium Grant:

• High-quality sports sessions delivered by PE specialists or sports coaches.

• Strong curriculum planning and monitoring of pupil progress.

• Resources, equipment, and teaching materials to enhance PE lessons.

• Health and wellbeing programmes, including liaison with the school nurse.

• Extra-curricular clubs and local sports opportunities.

• Initiatives to promote active lifestyles, such as walking, scooting, or cycling to school.

• Healthy snack provision in EYFS.

• Inclusive play and sports activities led by trained lunchtime staff.

• Competitive opportunities within school and across local schools, including inclusive SEN/disability competitions.

• Support for inter-school and borough-level sporting events.

• Breakfast and after-school clubs offering a wide range of sports.

• Year 4 swimming programme.

• Links with local sports clubs to encourage community participation.

Priorities for 2025–2026:

• Continue to strengthen the quality of PE teaching through mentoring and development of a PE curriculum team.

• Broaden the range of extra-curricular activities available.

• Deepen links with local schools through a full programme of competitions (e.g. cross country, netball, hockey, boccia, basketball).

• Promote healthy lifestyle choices through school and community initiatives.

• Ensure inclusive, accessible opportunities that enable all pupils—regardless of gender, ability, identity, or background—to thrive through sport.

Important Information

Below are details of our Pupil Premium Policy and Spending Plans and our Sports Premium Grant.