15th July 2025

What is Pupil Premium?

The Pupil Premium is a vital source of additional funding for schools in England, designed to help disadvantaged pupils achieve their full potential. If you’re a school leader, teacher or administrator, understanding how this funding works is essential to making the most of it for your students. In this blog, we’ll explain what the Pupil Premium is, which types of schools are eligible to receive it and how your school can apply, so you have a clear understanding of how to access and utilise this support effectively.

What is Pupil Premium?

Pupil Premium is government funding provided to schools in England to help improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. Research shows that these students often face additional challenges that can affect their learning and overall achievement, leading to lower performance compared to their peers.

Eligible schools for Pupil Premium

Pupil premium funding is available to the following schools:

Local authority-maintained schools

• Standard state-funded schools such as infant, primary, junior, middle, secondary and all-through schools that cater to students from reception to year 11
• Institutions specifically designed for students with special educational needs or disabilities, as well as hospital-based schools
• Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) support children who are not enrolled in mainstream education.

Academies, free schools and non-maintained special schools

• Mainstream academies, including infant, primary, junior, middle, secondary and all-through institutions that educate pupils from reception to year 11
• Special academies and non-maintained special schools that support children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
• Alternative provision academies, designed for students who are not attending mainstream schools.

Local authorities also receive Pupil Premium funding for eligible students placed in independent schools, provided the authority covers the full cost of tuition. It is at the discretion of the local authority to decide how much of this funding is allocated to the student’s school.

How Pupil Premium funding is allocated to schools

Schools do not need to apply for Pupil Premium funding. Instead, it’s automatically allocated based on the number of eligible pupils on roll.

Who is counted for Pupil Premium?

Funding is calculated based on the number of pupils who are:

• Currently eligible for free school meals (FSM)
• Have been eligible for FSM at any point in the past 6 years (Ever 6 FSM)
• Previously looked after by a local authority or adopted from care (including from outside England and Wales)

What about looked-after children?

For pupils who are currently looked after, Pupil Premium is:

• Allocated to the local authority
• Managed by the Virtual School Head (VSH) in consultation with the child’s school
• It also applies to eligible pupils attending independent schools, where the local authority pays full tuition fees.

How schools can use the funding

Pupil Premium funding is intended to help schools improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and narrow the attainment gap between them and their peers. Schools can use this funding to support a variety of needs, such as:

Supporting high-quality teaching

Schools can use Pupil Premium funding to invest in training and professional development that equips teachers with the skills to better support disadvantaged pupils. It can also be used to recruit and retain high-quality teachers, especially in schools with a higher proportion of disadvantaged students. Additionally, schools are encouraged to implement evidence-based teaching strategies proven to improve outcomes for these pupils.

Providing target academic support

Schools can use Pupil Premium funding to offer personalised support, such as one-on-one or small group tutoring, which helps pupils catch up and close learning gaps. Targeted intervention programs can address specific learning challenges to accelerate progress, while specialist services like speech and language therapy provide additional support tailored to individual needs.

Tackling non-academic barriers to learning

Pupil Premium funding can help improve attendance by supporting initiatives like breakfast clubs, transport assistance or attendance incentives. It can also be used to enhance behaviour through positive strategies and create a supportive learning environment. Additionally, schools can provide social and emotional support, such as counselling and pastoral care, as well as fund extracurricular activities like music lessons, sports and educational trips to boost pupils’ confidence and engagement.

Navigating Pupil Premium funding and putting effective strategies in place can be challenging. We specialise in guiding schools through the process and providing experienced candidates – teachers, specialists and support staff – who are ready to help you raise attainment and support disadvantaged pupils.

Contact us today to learn how we can help your school secure the right talent and make the most of your Pupil Premium funding.