This report by Teach First calls for the government to level up the country by increasing and expanding the pupil premium, which is used for supporting the education of disadvantaged pupils eligible for free school meals.
The pupil premium is generally well understood and popular amongst school leaders. The policy’s introduction in 2011 had the desired effect, leading to schools placing a greater emphasis on improving the outcomes of their disadvantaged pupils. In 2010, 57% of school leaders stated they targeted support based on disadvantage. By 2015, this had risen to 94%. The policy has also been shown to improve the attainment of disadvantaged primary school children13 and to decrease socioeconomic segregation.
Currently, children from disadvantaged background in Early Year settings are allocated less funding via the pupil premium compared to pupils in primary school. This is despite new research finding more than seven in ten (71%) primary school teachers believe that compared to previous years pupils entering reception are less prepared to succeed in school cognitively, socially, and emotionally.
With the growing need to support these pupils, Teach First is calling for the government to align the early years pupil premium rate with the current primary school rate, which they estimate would cost £130m per annum. The charity argues this will allow teachers to provide targeted support to those who need it the most and help to level up the country by ensuring every child starts primary school on an equal footing.
The report also explores the lack of pupil premium funding that exists for pupils post-16. The number of young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) remains a significant challenge, with 689,000 16 to 24-year-olds recorded as such in the most recently available data. This is an increase of 58,000 on the previous three months.