Peckover to take part in pilot project
Due to its success in improving outcomes for disadvantaged students, Peckover Primary School has been earmarked to take part in a pilot study, the results of which could have impact nationally.
The East of England North East London RSC region has selected secondary schools in the south of England and primary schools in Cambridgeshire to adopt a two pronged approach. Firstly education advisers will visit each school to see their individual strategies and then schools will be invited to form ‘trio partnerships’ visiting each other and presenting their findings and successes next June.
Sue Baldwin, Regional Schools Commissioner wrote: ‘We have reviewed all the data available to us and they show that Peckover Primary School is one of the top performing in the region in terms of outcomes for disadvantaged pupils … Your involvement could make a real difference to helping narrow the disadvantage gap that exists in parts of the region and hopefully provides an opportunity for your hard work and best practice to be recognised and shared regionally and nationally.’
Peckover’s Principal, Carrie Norman, said: ‘We are very proud to have been invited to take part in this study. The education adviser will see what strategies we have put together for disadvantaged students and what is working well. We have a holistic approach and it is very much a team effort, from the attendance team making home visits and getting children into school every day to offering pastoral care for students with chaotic lifestyles so that they come to school ready to learn. Teaching assistants also address issues immediately so that they don’t escalate. We make sure that each of our ‘pupil premium’ students has something, such as targeted intervention, uniform, funded education trips or music sessions; it really depends on what each child’s need is. We are looking forward to liaising with advisers and partner schools to share expertise so we all learn from each other.’
Trust CEO, Dr Andrew Campbell said: ‘The invitation to take part in this exciting pilot project is testament to the work of all of the team at Peckover Primary School to ensure that no child is left behind. I am delighted that Carrie and her staff have been given the opportunity to liaise with colleagues and share strategies to help this targeted sector of students.’