Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
13th Report - Improving educational outcomes for disadvantaged children
Public Accounts Committee
HC 365
Published 7 March 2025
Conclusions (2)
5
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The Department supports schools in making effective local decisions, but there remains variability in practice, performance and how schools use evidence. The Department provides support to schools and other providers to help them effectively target their funding for disadvantaged children. This support includes a menu of evidence–based approaches for Pupil …
Government Response Summary
The government outlined its existing support for evidence-based decisions through the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and its promotion of EEF evidence. It committed to continuing to monitor how schools use evidence and working with the EEF to consider how to improve schools' capability in using the pupil premium effectively.
20
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The Department told us that schools valued the freedom to choose how they managed their budgets but said this did not mean a lack of accountability for spending. It described understanding that schools, particularly poorer performers, may divert funding for disadvantaged children to other areas. However, it believed that setting …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation and the department is reviewing options to improve reporting arrangements for the pupil premium grant, including potential digital solutions by Academic Year 2027-28.