The literacy and numeracy catch-up premium gives schools additional funding to support year 7 pupils who did not achieve at least 100 in their reading and/or maths at the end of key stage 2 (KS2).

Christ the King Catholic High School received additional funding of £500 for each Year 7 pupil who did not achieve at least a standardised score of 100 in English and Maths at Key Stage 2. The allocation for 2017/2018 is £12,407. This additional grant has been primarily used to target support in small groups and for individualised provision.

How have we used our allocation in 2017-2018?

• Purchase of the literacy support software Accelerate Reader (£2230)

• Purchase of the numeracy support software Symphony (£2500)

• Specific training for Teaching Assistants to support lower ability pupils (£935)

• Literacy and Key Skills teacher (£25,000)

• Employed a Teaching Assistant to support in small group intervention programmes (£14,335)

• Purchase of Rapid Plus Reading Intervention Software (£500)

• Appointment of a numeracy and literacy coordinator (£5000)

• Appointment of literacy support and intervention assistant

The shortfall in funding is topped up from the main school budget.

Targeted support

Use of small group teaching and primary teaching techniques helps build up a strong skill base, giving pupils a toolkit of skills that allow them to access the mainstream curriculum more effectively.

Pupils with specific SpLD are seen by our specialist Teaching Assistant on a one to one basis to provide individualised support.

Teaching Assistants provide targeted Reading intervention with pupils, via Key Skills lessons, one to one sessions and our new approach to reading intervention named Rapid Plus. We also have the Accelerated Reader Programme embedded within our KS3 curriculum.

Some pupils are also given extra lesson time in Key Skills support classes. This is in place of some Modern Foreign Language lessons. These lessons are delivered and organised by our Lead Teaching Assistant.

Literacy support

Pupils are provided with specific literacy catch up sessions ran and devised by our Literacy Coordinator.

Teaching Assistants run and deliver intervention sessions.

Pupils with a reading age of below 8.6 years are provided with paired reading and Rapid Plus support.

Pupils with a reading ages between 8.7 years and 10 years are given specific support sessions devised by our Literacy Coordinator

Numeracy support

To further support these pupils in numeracy they are given numeracy support lessons as part of their regular timetable.

Pupils identified as needing specific numeracy support have been started on a programme of intervention using a piece of online software known as Symphony. This provides pupils with targeted intervention in their specific areas of weakness. It builds on the basics that these pupils are struggling with and allows them to develop their confidence and ability in Mathematics. The programme is individualised to each pupil and their needs and is staffed by a Teaching Assistant trained in the software and a Lead Teacher within the Mathematics Department. Pupils have access to the programme during two form times each week.

Impact of the Year 7 Catch-up funding 2016-2017(current year 8 pupils)

The impact of year seven catch-up funding was evaluated through the school’s data and assessment routines, where National Curriculum Levels, attainment pathways, progress, attitude, behaviour, and homework were analysed for patterns and trends. Support was adapted at these points, if appropriate, in order to meet individual pupil’s needs.  Within literacy, pupils reading and spelling scores were regularly analysed for progress, and teaching support was then adapted to suit the need. Within numeracy support, the Symphony software provides the teacher with a clear breakdown analysis of a pupil’s strengths and weaknesses. These are then acted upon via intervention worksheets and individual tutor support to back up the concept.

Impact on English / Literacy

25 pupils accessed a range of intervention in this area.

88% of the pupils made progress within their English pathway

80% of the pupils improved their reading age.

Impact on Maths / Numeracy

25 pupils accessed a range of intervention in this area.

90% of pupils made progress within their English pathway.

All pupils made progress within their Symphony learning journey.

5 pupils came to school with an N score from Primary School. All of these pupils made progress within their Mathematics and English attainment and progress.