Research School Network: Serving the underserved- funding research informed practice By Clare Greene, ELE – PP & Inclusion, Executive Headteacher

The new school year is in full swing and with that in mind, this month we are re-visiting Claire Greene’s Blog, ​‘Serving the underserved- funding research informed practice’.

As well as taking on the role of ELE for Pupil Premium & Inclusion with West Somerset Research School, Clare Greene is an Executive Headteacher of a Junior School in Bath and a 2‑form entry Primary School with Nursery in Somerset. Both are in areas of high deprivation with much higher-than-average numbers of pupils eligible for pupil premium and those with identified SEND.

By working with charities and a number of other platforms and organisations Claire has been able to implement more research informed practice than ever before. School budgets are tight, while PPG is welcome, it isn’t enough for many schools, particularly those with fewer children eligible, or for schools who have pupils eligible for service pupil premium (SSP) which carries a lesser amount. In my first headship, over a third of pupils were SPP as well as higher than average FSM. 

Claire has used additional funds to implement whole school approaches such as those recommended in the EEF’s Social and Emotional Learning Guidance Report for low costs but for the benefit of all pupils, addressing the challenges rather than focusing on complaining about the impact of them.

To read the rest of Claire’s blog and to pick up valuable resources and advice, click here or follow the link below.