A primary school that forged links with local museums, including an Edwardian bakery, was named as one of the winners of this year’s Pupil Premium Awards today.
Northern Saints Church of England Primary School in Sunderland was named a joint winner for its innovative use of heritage materials that it used to develop disadvantaged pupils’ problem-solving skills on visits to museums.
From the 21 finalists across four categories, two schools from London, two from the North East and one from the South West were named as national winners.
The awards are given to the schools which demonstrate the most innovative use of pupil premium funding, which is additional money handed to schools for each student they have in receipt of free school meals.
The winners were presented with awards by respected education expert Andreas Schleicher, director for education and skills at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, who chaired the judging panel.
Leading the way
Education and childcare minister Sam Gyimah (pictured), who announced the winners at a ceremony in London, said: “The winning schools deserve to be singled out for particular praise, but all of the finalists have shown innovative and effective uses of the funding. I hope more schools will take inspiration from what they have achieved today and follow in their footsteps.”
The categories and winners were:
Special and alternative provision schools category
The Link School Pallion (North East)
Infant, first and key stage 3 schools category
Greenfylde C of E First School (South West)
Key stage 4 schools category
La Retraite RC School (London)
Key stage 2 schools category (joint winners)
Edward Pauling Primary School (London) and Northern Saints C of E Primary School (North East)
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