Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 32
32
The Department must do more to target funding to address attainment gaps, such as that...
Conclusion
The Department must do more to target funding to address attainment gaps, such as that which persistently affects disadvantaged White pupils. This should begin with reform to the pupil premium, which should be weighted to account for persistent disadvantage, including in disadvantaged White communities, in line with our recommendation on better measures of disadvantage. The Department must also heed recommendations from the National Audit Office and keep its catch-up funding initiatives under close review, and introduce significant reform if take up of the National Tutoring Programme has not improved by the end of the school year. The Department should introduce changes to ensure the schools and pupils that most need the extra resource have access to it. (Paragraph 129) 62 The forgotten: how White working-class pupils have been let down, and how to change it
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
87. We recognise the pressures schools have faced and have listened to teachers and parents. This Government has announced the biggest funding boost for schools in a decade, which will give every school more money for every child. As a result, funding is increasing by £7.1 billion between 2019-20 and 2022-23, taking total funding next year to over £52bn. Schools continue to be able to access existing support for financial issues, including a wide range of school resource management tools, and, in serious circumstances, additional funding or advances from local authorities for maintained schools, or ESFA for academy trusts. 88. Total Pupil Premium funding has increased to more than £2.5bn this year. The Education Endowment Foundation’s Guide to the Pupil Premium advises school leaders on the most effective, proven approaches for accelerating their pupils’ progress. There are many excellent examples of schools using their Pupil Premium money effectively to close the attainment gap between children from deprived backgrounds and their counterparts. Most schools will include enrichment and extra-curricular activities within their strategy. 89. We have amended Pupil Premium conditions of grant for the 2021/22 academic year, to require all schools to use their funding on evidence-based approaches, to maximise the benefits of the Pupil Premium for their disadvantaged pupils. Schools will also be required to publish an online statement, using a new standardised template, which requires them to outline the evidence-based rationale for their spending decisions across the Pupil Premium, and the recovery premium. 90. Highly effective, proven practice that helps pupils catch up is needed now more than ever. It is important that all schools decide how to use their funding drawing on the best available research evidence such as that provided by Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). The Department is constantly working to review how we can support and encourage schools to do this to best effect.