Shropshire Virtual School Pupil Premium Plus

Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) is a grant made by the Department of Education to raise the attainment of looked-after and previously looked-after children and close the gap with their peers. Pupil Premium Plus for looked-after children is allocated to virtual schools, and the aim of the grant is to support them towards achieving their full potential, developing their aspirations and goals.

Children who are looked-after are eligible for PP+ if they have been in care for at least one day and are in year groups from reception up to the end of year 11. The virtual school head (VSH) in the authority that looks after those children is responsible for:

• Allocating the grant effectively to schools and settings
  
• Working with schools and settings to agree how the PP+ will be spent for looked-after children as identified in their personal education plan, ensuring that it's used on well- evidenced interventions to diminish the difference and realise the potential of their children, irrespective of where they live or attend school
  
• Be able to demonstrate how the effective use of PP+ is raising the achievement of looked-after children

Please take a look at our PP+ policy for more information and examples on how to use it effectively!

Here is a handy guide for parents/carers with some answers to FAQs.

It also should be noted that our Shropshire Virtual School PP+ support map is also available to view, which shows what we can offer our partners and young people from centrally retained PP+.

Post 16 Pupil Premium+

Shropshire Virtual School has received a Grant to improve the outcomes of Looked After young people in the Post 16 phase i.e. Key Stage 5. The terms and conditions outline how it must be spent on well-evidenced interventions by supporting our young people towards achieving their full potential, particularly in reference to attainment, attendance and retention.

The DFE specifies that the Grant should be spent in line with achieving duties outlined in the guidance promoting the education of looked-after and previously looked-after children and that an effective spend should enable the young people to have sustained involvement in education, employment or training.

Shropshire Virtual School have developed a strategic plan so this Grant is spent effectively. For 2023-24 financial year the plan includes:

• Educational Psychology advice & support
  
• Personalised Mentoring
  
• Project to support young people into education, employment or training
  
• Pathway Tuition project – support towards achieving a Grade 4 English or Maths GCSE or equivalent
  
• Whole setting training on becoming Attachment and Trauma Responsive Post 16 providers
  
• Speaker events for young people, care leavers, providers and practitioners
  
• Celebration events to promote young people & care leavers’ achievements
  
• Duke of Edinburgh scheme
  

If you would like to access any of these resources or supports please contact your VS Link in the Post 16 team or email virtualschool@shropshire.gov.uk

There is also a fund where small amounts to help individual students to support attainment, attendance or retention can be requested by the VS Link person in the Post 16 team. At this time it is not our aim to provide IT equipment as part of this. Please talk to your VS Link for more details.