The Pupil Premium Grant (PPG) is one of the most critical funding streams for improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. With careful planning, strategic oversight and a focus on evidence-based interventions, schools can bridge the attainment gap, while following the Department for Education’s (DfE) accountability framework. Drawing on my experience as both an auditor in the academy sector and a former Pupil Premium Trustee for a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), I have seen how Trustee-led scrutiny and challenge can transform the effectiveness of PPG spending.
The role of trustees and key management in effective Pupil Premium use
Summary of funding and good practices
For the 2024–25 academic year, PPG rates remain focused on eligible pupils in primary (£1,480), secondary (£1,050), and Looked After or Previously Looked After Children (£2,570). These funds must be deployed strategically across:
- High-quality teaching: Investing in staff development to improve classroom outcomes.
- Targeted academic support: Interventions such as tutoring through the National Tutoring Programme (NTP).
- Non-academic barriers: Addressing issues like attendance, behaviour, and social-emotional needs.
In my role as a Trustee, I saw firsthand the importance of governance in ensuring funding is aligned with pupils’ needs and rooted in robust evidence. Trustees and leaders working collaboratively can champion a culture of transparency and accountability, ensuring every pound spent maximises impact.
Key responsibilities and accountability requirements
Responsibilities of Trustees and leaders
Trustees are integral to ensuring that PPG spending delivers measurable outcomes. Their key responsibilities include:
- Reviewing barriers to learning: Identifying obstacles faced by disadvantaged pupils and assessing how funds will address these.
- Ensuring evidence-based strategies: Spending decisions should align with the DfE’s “menu of approaches” or the Education Endowment Foundation’s (EEF) toolkit.
- Evaluating impact: Demanding clear metrics for success and measurable outcomes from interventions.
As a Pupil Premium Trustee, I challenged school leaders to justify spending decisions and ensured they focused on interventions that would deliver long-term benefits.
Reporting and publishing requirements
Academy trusts must publish an updated Pupil Premium Strategy annually, covering the academic year (September to August). This document must:
- Include an impact evaluation from the previous year.
- Clearly outline planned spending, categorised by teaching, academic support, and wider strategies.
- Be completed using the latest pro-forma provided by the DfE.
Encouraging trustee involvement
Encouraging Trustee engagement begins with providing relevant training on the PPG framework and expectations. Trustees should understand their role in scrutinising plans and challenging leaders while fostering a collaborative environment.
Trustees can use resources such as:
- The Education Endowment Foundation’s (EEF) resources for evidence-based approaches.
- The DfE’s “menu of approaches,” which outlines effective spending categories.
- Sector-specific guidance from professional associations, such as the National Governance Association (NGA), for PPG best practices.
Auditor’s insight: Compliance and impact
From an auditor’s perspective, compliance and impact go hand in hand. Schools must ensure that:
- Documentation is robust: Pupil Premium strategies should link funding to clear, measurable outcomes.
- Spending aligns with grant conditions: All interventions must fall under the DfE’s approved categories.
- Impact is measurable: Leaders should track and report outcomes, ensuring transparency and accountability.
An effective Pupil Premium strategy is not just about compliance, it is about making meaningful differences in pupils’ lives.
Upcoming deadline for 2024–25 Pupil Premium strategy
Academy trusts must publish their Pupil Premium Strategy for the 2024–25 academic year by the end of December 2024. The DfE’s pro-forma provides a structured approach for primary, secondary, and special schools, ensuring consistency in reporting. Examples are available on the DfE’s website to guide schools in crafting impactful strategies.
The next step
If your academy trust requires support with compliance, governance, or developing an evidence-based strategy, please feel free to contact me, Luke Grubb, via my LinkedIn profile, or by contacting your existing UHY contact.
By embracing robust governance, encouraging Trustee involvement, and prioritising impact, we can ensure that the Pupil Premium delivers on its promise to create equitable opportunities for disadvantaged pupils.
