Will some schools face cuts to fund the Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is in addition to the schools budget. Underlying school funding has been protected at flat cash per pupil over the spending review period, meaning that it will rise in line with pupil numbers. The Pupil Premium will provide an extra £2.5 billion a year by 2014-15. 

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 When will schools actually receive their Pupil Premium funding?

The Premium will be allocated to schools alongside their main schools budget each year

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 Do you think the Pupil Premium will really narrow attainment gaps?

It is not the funding itself that will improve attainment gaps, but how schools use it. Some children require additional support to meet their potential, and the Pupil Premium will provide schools with the resources they need to provide that support. Where funding is carefully targeted, UK studies do show an impact on attainment gaps for disadvantaged pupils - particularly in English and mathematics.

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 Why is the Pupil Premium allocated on a flat rate basis?

Providing all pupils who are currently known to be eligible for FSM a fixed and equal amount of funding this year ensures that the system is simple and transparent. Teachers, local authorities and parents can easily understand how much each child is receiving.

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 Isn’t it too late to narrow attainment gaps once children start school?

We acknowledge that high quality early years support can have a positive and lasting impact on children's lives. However schools can have a direct impact on children’s attainment as well as influencing the home environment. Life chances are not fixed at age five and schools are independently important for improving children's attainment and narrowing gaps. 

Evidence shows that the most effective schools achieve this through a combination of high quality teaching, strong leadership, a relevant and coherent curriculum, a culture of high expectations and targeted catch-up and enrichment activities. 

Intensive support in the basics (via one-to-one tuition or as a group) can enable children from disadvantaged backgrounds to catch up with their peers. Schools also influence how parents support their child’s learning and behaviour as they grow older and their needs develop. They can also help parents understand the breadth of possibilities open to their child and how their child can achieve their aspirations.

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