Liberal Democrat Children and Families Minister, Sarah Teather has announced the extra money each school will receive through the Pupil Premium this year – more than originally expected.

In just our area the schools will get nearly £100,000 to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds after the Liberal Democrats fought to get an extra £100m nationally towards the Pupil Premimum.

This has boosted the amount from £430 per pupil to nearly £500 for every child on Free School Meals.

News of the extra money comes after Sarah Teather recently announced that the total Pupil Premium funding for next year will rise to £1.25bn, double the amount in 2011-12.  Thanks to Liberal Democrats, it will rise again each year until 2014-15 when it will be worth £2.5bn.

Cllr Allan Witherick, who has been visiting schools this week, for Local Democracy Week said:

“This extra money increases the chances of young people actually getting the grades to get to University.  It is a shocking fact that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are three times less likely to achieve five good GSCEs than their more well-off classmates.  Education is the best way to end the underachievement of disadvantaged pupils through supporting children comprehensively from early years straight through to secondary school.

During Local Democracy Week young people told us how they felt pressured in to university, even though less than half of pupils nationally do and they weren’t aware of the alternatives.  I also came across young people in sixth form who are already starting up their own successful businesses.  That’s why this money will help to make a real difference when and where it counts, in school.”

Commenting further, Sarah Teather said:

“The Pupil Premium will benefit poorer pupils, providing extra money directly for those pupils who need it the most.  This extra funding will help tackle inequality and enable schools to provide the extra support their pupils need to reach their full potential.”