Laura Sharman 29 April 2021

One in three head teachers warn funding for poorer pupils is plugging budget gaps

One in three head teachers warn funding for poorer pupils is plugging budget gaps image

A third of head teachers are using funding meant to support disadvantaged pupils to plug general budget gaps, a new survey has revealed.

The survey, conducted by the Sutton Trust, found 34% of heads say the pupil premium is being used to plug general gaps in their school’s budget, up from 23% in 2019.

However, the poll did reveal an increase in the use of evidence in deciding how to spend this funding. Almost four-fifths (79%) of all senior leaders said they considered research evidence when deciding how to spend their pupil premium funding.

Almost one in five (17%) of secondary heads report that one-to-one and small group tuition is their priority for pupil premium spending this school year, while heads in primary schools said early intervention scheme are the top priority.

Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chairman of the Sutton Trust and chairman of the Education Endowment Foundation, said: 'At a time when schools are facing monumental challenges, the additional funding they get through the pupil premium has never been more important.

'So it’s concerning to see that a third of heads are using this funding to plug general budget gaps, likely because they face additional costs due to the pandemic. The priority of the education recovery plan must be to provide enough resources for disadvantaged pupils, so that they can begin to recover from the massive disruption of the last year.'

The charities that a change to the reporting date for the pupil premium - which means schools report the number of eligible pupils in October rather than January - will see the average primary school set to lose £6,000.

They are calling on the Government to reverse this decision and for significant financial support for disadvantaged pupils to be prioritised in the education recovery plan.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recuriter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

Hull City Council
£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recuriter: Hull City Council

Strategic Director, Finance and Resources (S.151 Officer)

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
£110,799 - £120,706
Blackburn with Darwen is a distinctive, welcoming and vibrant borough with a strong identity and a genuine buzz about the place. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Residential Worker, Edge of Care Service

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 PAY AWARD PENDING
Join a Groundbreaking Team Supporting Families in Seaham Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Bikeability Cycling Instructor

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £24,790 to £25,992 pro rata (Pay Award Pending)
The Road Safety Team are keen to recruit additional Casual Bikability Instructors to join our team of instructors delivering Bikeability cycle trainin Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner