Education in the UK aims to give every child, regardless of their background, the best possible start in life. To help achieve this, the government introduced the Pupil Premium — extra funding given to schools to support disadvantaged pupils and close the achievement gap between them and their peers.
In this post, we’ll explore what the Pupil Premium is, who qualifies, how it’s used, and why it plays such an important role in improving education outcomes.
1. What Is the Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium is a form of additional government funding provided to publicly funded schools in England. It was introduced in April 2011 to help ensure that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are not held back academically due to financial or social barriers.
Schools receive this funding on top of their regular budgets, and it must be used specifically to raise attainment levels and improve opportunities for pupils who need extra support.
2. Who Qualifies for Pupil Premium Funding?
Schools receive Pupil Premium funding for pupils who meet one or more of the following criteria:
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Children currently eligible for free school meals (FSM) or who have been eligible at any point in the last six years.
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Children in care (Looked After Children) or those who have left care under adoption, guardianship, or residence orders.
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Service children, meaning pupils with parents in the armed forces, also receive a smaller Service Premium to support pastoral care and stability.
3. How Much Funding Do Schools Receive?
The amount varies each year, but for the 2024–2025 academic year, schools typically receive:
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£1,480 per primary school pupil eligible for free school meals.
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£1,050 per secondary school pupil eligible for free school meals.
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£2,570 for children in care or previously in care.
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£340 for service children.
Funding is allocated directly to schools, which decide how best to use it to support pupils’ learning and wellbeing.
4. How Schools Use the Pupil Premium
Schools have flexibility in how they spend the Pupil Premium, as long as it benefits eligible students. Common uses include:
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Targeted academic support: One-to-one or small-group tutoring, literacy and numeracy interventions, or teaching assistants.
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Wider support: Counselling, mentoring, and social-emotional learning programmes.
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Enrichment opportunities: Funding for school trips, extracurricular clubs, or cultural visits to broaden students’ experiences.
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Parental engagement: Initiatives that help families support learning at home.
Schools must publish a Pupil Premium Strategy Statement each year explaining how the funds are used and the impact achieved.
5. Why the Pupil Premium Matters
The Pupil Premium has helped narrow the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers — although progress varies between regions and schools.
It supports schools in addressing inequalities caused by poverty or social disadvantage, ensuring that all children can reach their potential. In many cases, this funding helps students build confidence, improve attendance, and engage more positively in learning.
6. Accountability and Reporting
Schools are held accountable for how they use their Pupil Premium funding. Ofsted inspections and the Department for Education (DfE) review published statements to ensure that funds are being used effectively.
Schools are expected to use evidence-based approaches, such as those recommended by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), to make sure spending has a measurable impact on student outcomes.
7. How Parents Can Get Involved
Parents and carers can help by:
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Checking if their child qualifies for free school meals (even if they receive universal infant meals).
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Asking the school about its Pupil Premium Strategy.
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Supporting learning at home through reading, homework, and regular communication with teachers.
Knowing your rights and engaging with the school ensures that your child benefits fully from available support.
Conclusion
The Pupil Premium is more than just funding — it’s a commitment to equality in education. By targeting resources towards students who need extra help, UK schools can ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.
Through effective use of this funding, schools can continue closing the attainment gap and building a fairer, stronger education system for all.