Pupil Premium/Young Carers
At The Latimer Arts College, we are passionately determined to secure high achievement for each and every one of our students. We work relentlessly to ensure that each and every student has an equal opportunity to shine: no student should have any barriers to accessing an excellent education!
We do recognise that some students join us with gap in their achievement and/or in the life experiences that they may have been able to access. Our aim is to address this by putting in place individual and personalised support so that we can unlock the potential of every student, inspiring them to achieve excellence and be the best that they can be.
Along with the dedicated care and unwavering support of all of our staff, another way in which we will achieve this is through planned and purposeful use of the Pupil Premium and Catch-Up funding that we receive.
What is the Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium is additional funding that is given to schools to raise the attainment of disadvantaged students and close the gap between them and their peers. Students who are either eligible for free school meals (or have been eligible at any time in the last six years), or who are currently looked after by the local authority or who are children of parents/carers who serve in the armed forces qualify for this additional funding.
How many students at The Latimer Arts College are eligible for the Pupil Premium ?
Approximately 18% of students at The Latimer Arts College are eligible for the Pupil Premium funding.
How we will use this money to raise achievement?
At The Latimer Arts College, at the heart of what we do is to ensure that all of our students are supported to aspire to excellence and be the best that they can be by ensuring that the day to day learning experience in the classroom is of the highest quality. We also recognise that each student is an individual and that there is a range of additional ways that each learner could be supported to achieve excellence.
Our aim is to support those students who are eligible for this additional funding to overcome social disadvantage and achieve success that is in line with, or even better than, their non-disadvantaged peers.
To secure this we will consider each year how we allocate the funding, analysing the impact of the previous year’s spending and drawing on the best practise from studies conducted by organisations such as The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), which, like us, is dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement.
Our plans can be viewed in: The Latimer Arts College Pupil Premium Strategy Statement - Updated September 2026
If you are the parent or carer of a student who is eligible for the Pupil Premium and you feel that there are further ways in which we can support your child, please contact Mr Steve King, Assistant Principal: sking@latimer.org.uk.
YOUNG CARERS
At The Latimer Arts College we are aware that some of our pupils are young carers. A young carer is someone under 18 who is caring unpaid for a family member who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems. They often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult. Research suggests there are at least 700,000 young carers in the UK, but many do not realise they are a young carer.
To support our Young Carers, all staff receive training to help identify young carers and understand that there is a range of support available to support these students. The work we do to support young carers in school is endorsed by the senior leadership team and the school governing body.
We have staff in school who lead our young carers support program:
Mr Steve King – assistant and SLT Lead for Young Carers
Mrs Heidi Angel – LAC and EHA lead, Deputy safeguarding Lead and Young Carers school lead
Mrs Cara Strudwick- teacher of Maths and Young carer champion
What support is available to Young Carers in school?
Morning Boost – Between 8:00 and 8:20am, Young Carers can use their fingerprint in the canteen to grab a free piece of toast or a cereal bar — no charge, just a little help to start their day right.
Mrs Strudwick also runs, rest and refuel in MA 8 every break, where they can grab a biscuit, crisps and a drink as well as any school equipment they may need, or even just a friendly chat.
Every Week 1 Wednesday form time, 11.50-12.20, in the Library, there is a drop-in for young carers to meet each other, have a glass of juice and some biscuits, play some games and speak to Mrs Angel and Mrs Strudwick.
We are also available before and after school, as well as throughout the day if they need any additional support with school work, homework or signposting to further support outside of school.
Young carers can also request support from our young carer team through their tutor or by accessing the young carer email youngcarers@latimer.org.uk
What wider support is available for young carers outside of school?
We work collaboratively with Young Carers Northamptonshire, and they support our young carers by coming into school for a morning or afternoon of fun activities so that it can give our young carers a break from their normal routines.
Young carers and their families can also access Northamptonshire Young carers
Tel- 01933 677907, option 2. Lines are open Mon-Fri 9.00-5.00pm
Young Carers | Northamptonshire Carers Association
Facebook Northamptonshire Young carers page
Northamptonshire Young carers also have an AI chat option that is available 24/7 for a chat or advice. This can be found by following the above link.
This information has been taken from their website:
We’re proud to launch Bridgit for Young Carers, the AI platform that provides support and Advice 24/7 for young carers. Bridgit offers young carers personalised advice, access to services and events in your local area. It is your go-to for guidance and support, all in one place.
Find out about financial support for young carers aged 16 and over at www.moneyhelper.org.uk
Read about what support is available post 16 for future training and employment https://carers.org/young-carers-futures-hub/young-carers-futures-hub
Lawstuff gives free legal advice to young people in England. Lawstuff is run by Coram Children’s Legal Centre, which provides more detailed information both over the phone and online.
https://lawstuff.org.uk/childrens-services/young-carers/
There is also more advice to be found at
The mix
https://www.themix.org.uk/explore-our-topics/money-and-employment/support-for-young-carers/
For any other WELLBEING AND MENTAL HEALTH support, please see here