CYP Now - One in three schools 'using pupil premium funding to plug budget gaps'

More than a third of headteachers say they are using pupil premium funding meant for disadvantaged children to plug gaps in their school budget.

Primary schools are more likely to use funding for disadvantaged children elsewhere, research shows. Picture: Adobe Stock

Among school leaders surveyed, 34 per cent said pupil premium funding, which is allocated for disadvantaged pupils, is instead being used to help schools cover costs elsewhere.

This is up on less than a quarter (23 per cent) of headteachers who, in 2019, said they were using the funding elsewhere

Primary school headteachers are among school leaders most likely to use pupil premium funding to plug budget gaps. Among those surveyed, 35 per cent of primary school leaders are using this funding elsewhere, compared with 28 per cent of secondary school headteachers.

When the funding is used for disadvantaged pupils, one in five (17 per cent) of secondary headteachers said their priority was using pupil premium allocation for one-to-one and small group tuition.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included