As a state funded academy, Whitstone School receives additional funding from the UK Government to support pupils who may face barriers to their learning due to disadvantage. This funding, known as the Pupil Premium, is rooted in a national commitment to improve educational equity by ensuring that all pupils, regardless of background, have the opportunity to succeed and achieve highly.
At Whitstone School, our use of Pupil Premium funding is underpinned by a clear rationale. We recognise that disadvantage can present in many forms, including lower literacy levels on entry, reduced access to enrichment opportunities, challenges with attendance, and barriers linked to wellbeing and confidence. Our strategy is therefore designed not simply to support attainment, but to remove these barriers and enable every pupil to fully engage with school life.
Central to our approach is the belief that high quality teaching has the greatest impact on pupil outcomes. We prioritise adaptive teaching that meets the needs of all learners, alongside a strong focus on literacy to ensure pupils can access the full curriculum. This is complemented by carefully targeted interventions, informed by robust diagnostic assessment, to provide timely and effective support where it is most needed.
We also recognise that academic success is closely linked to wider factors. Our strategy places strong emphasis on attendance, behaviour, wellbeing, and the development of positive relationships. We aim to build resilience, raise aspirations, and ensure that all pupils feel a strong sense of belonging within our school community. Access to enrichment opportunities, careers education, and cultural experiences is a key part of this, helping pupils to broaden their horizons and develop the cultural capital needed for future success.
Ultimately, our Pupil Premium strategy reflects a whole school commitment to high expectations, inclusion, and evidence informed practice. By addressing both academic and pastoral needs, we aim to ensure that disadvantaged pupils make strong progress, achieve well, and are fully prepared for the next stage of their education and beyond.
Our current Pupil Premium strategy can by clicking the link below.
Our Core Aims
Horizons+ is built around a clear set of principles that guide all activities within the programme. We aim to broaden pupils’ understanding of careers, education, and life beyond their local context, while building confidence, resilience, and cultural capital. The programme is designed to increase motivation and aspiration, remove barriers to participation such as cost or access, and give pupils meaningful experiences that help them imagine and plan for their futures.
Our Skill Framework
Horizons+ is structured around three key strands which develop essential skills for life.
See Further: Aspiration and Cultural Capital
This strand focuses on helping pupils explore opportunities beyond their immediate experience. Pupils develop an understanding of different career pathways, including university, apprenticeships, and employment. They are supported to recognise their own strengths, set long term goals, and build curiosity about the wider world. Through exposure to new environments such as universities, workplaces, and cultural settings, pupils grow in confidence and develop a broader perspective.
Step Forward: Confidence and Life Skills
This strand equips pupils with the practical skills needed to succeed in everyday life. Pupils develop confidence in communication, including speaking clearly, asking questions, and presenting ideas. They learn how to work effectively with others, manage their time, and make informed decisions. The programme also supports pupils in building resilience, managing stress, and understanding how to access support when needed.
Go Further: Creativity and Innovation
This strand encourages pupils to think independently and approach challenges with creativity. Pupils are supported to generate ideas, solve problems, and take initiative. Through collaborative and practical experiences, they learn to design, create, and adapt, developing confidence in using new tools, materials, and ways of thinking. This strand promotes curiosity, critical thinking, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
How the Programme Works
Horizons+ is delivered through a structured programme across the year. Each half term, pupils take part in a range of experiences designed to develop their skills and broaden their horizons. This includes educational visits to universities, workplaces, and cultural locations, alongside visiting speakers and workshops that provide real world insight. In school sessions focus on developing key skills, supported by opportunities for pupils to set personal goals and reflect on their progress.
Through Horizons+, we aim to ensure that every pupil leaves Whitstone School with the confidence, knowledge, and ambition to take their next steps successfully. More information and an example of the Horizons+ booklet can be found below. If you would like to find out more about the project, make a donation towards it, or volunteer to come in or host a workshop, please contact info@whitstoneschool.org
Our Horizons+ students showcase their best photographs from the recent ‘My Shepton, My World’ workshop at Kilve Court. The workshop was led by Owen Gale, former Photographic Director at House & Garden, who guided the students in developing their creative vision and capturing their local environment through photography.