Why Most Pupil Premium Strategies Fail in the Classroom (and What Actually Works)

The uncomfortable truth Over a decade on from the introduction of the Pupil Premium, the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers remains.Despite significant investment, no school system has consistently solved the problem. In fact, research suggests that while there have been periods of improvement, progress has been uneven and, in some cases, hasContinueContinue reading “Why Most Pupil Premium Strategies Fail in the Classroom (and What Actually Works)”

How We Raised Pupil Premium Attainment in History from 35% to 64%: A Whole-Department Model

Context When I joined my current school as Head of Department, outcomes for our students—many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds—were a concern. Around 60% of our cohort are Pupil Premium (PP), and attainment in my subject sat at 35% achieving Grade 4+.Three years later, that figure rose to 64%, with outcomes now sustained andContinueContinue reading “How We Raised Pupil Premium Attainment in History from 35% to 64%: A Whole-Department Model”

Has the Pupil Premium Actually Worked?

Over £2.5 billion is spent each year on the Pupil Premium.It is one of the most significant education policies of the last decade—designed to close the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their peers. But after all this time, there’s a question we don’t ask often enough:Has it actually worked? The honest answer The PupilContinueContinue reading “Has the Pupil Premium Actually Worked?”

A Return to the Lyceum: Learning, Leadership, and Looking Ahead

It has been a while since I last posted here, and for that I can only apologise. Like many teachers, the day-to-day demands of school life have a habit of pushing reflective writing to the bottom of the to-do list. That said, the past year or so has been one of the most professionally rewardingContinueContinue reading “A Return to the Lyceum: Learning, Leadership, and Looking Ahead”