13.05.13
Spending freedom
Should there be more stringent controls over how the pupil premium is spent in schools, to ensure it is being used most effectively?
Previously criticised by Ofsted, for a small number of schools failing to make a sufficient difference to the lives of children from disadvantaged families, the premium could be at risk of cuts under the next Spending Review.
In theory it provides valuable support for those who need it most. A good education is one of the most effective ways to get out of poverty and improve access and opportunity in the future.
But giving schools individual control over how exactly this funding is spent may not be the most cost-effective approach. In order to protect the pupil premium, perhaps greater guidance should be developed to support its implementation.
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