Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has announced the biggest ever rise in the pupil premium for primary schools to help ensure that more pupils are able to achieve higher standards

The Pupil Premium provides schools with extra money to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This will help whole classes move forward faster together.

It will be increased to £1,300 per eligible primary school pupil in 2014/15, up from £900 per child this year. That’s likely to be almost an extra £1 million for primary schools in the Oxford East constituency that covers the most deprived part of the city. (Figures for other Oxfordshire constituencies are shown in the notes)

Schools will be able to spend this money in ways that they feel helps their pupils best. Evidence shows some schools use it to hire extra staff, reading and maths classes for children who need an extra hand, or provide appropriate other facilities.

Commenting, Oxfordshire Lib Dem County Cllr John Howson said:

“All the evidence shows that if your child starts behind in secondary school, they stay behind. That is unacceptable.

“As part of the Liberal Democrats’ aim to build a fairer society, the Coalition Government is putting extra money into primary schools to help teachers support disadvantaged children.

“This boost in the Pupil Premium will help ensure we give those children a better education, so they will have a better start in life.” Cllr Howson urged the Oxfordshire School Forum to ensure that schools spent the money and didn’t just add it to their already growing bank balances. This cash is for spending not for hoarding”

Commenting further, Nick Clegg said:

“I am delighted to announce a significant increase in the Pupil Premium at primary level.

“This increase in money for every eligible primary school child will help ensure that all pupils are ready to reach their full potential in secondary school.

“This will allow all our children to get the best possible start in life.”