Schools: make the most of your pupil premium

The subject of school budgets is one that is in the top of many school leaders’ minds when considering how to best support their pupils. A recent survey found that 60% of schools and trust report balancing their budgets as the biggest challenge they face. The same survey reports that only 18% of school leaders feel their budgets are sustainable.

To mitigate these challenges, the UK Government supports schools through targeted grands to attempt to alleviate some of the pressures of budgets. One of these grants is the pupil premium that has increased in the current academic year, surpassing £3 billion in overall funds.

What is the pupil premium?

The pupil premium grant provides funding to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in state-funded schools in England. Schools receive a set amount per pupil that fits the specific funding criteria.

What can the pupil premium be used for?

While the pupil premium is given per child based on specific criteria, the school does not have to use this grant to benefit the pupil alone and can use the premium for elements that can benefit the school. Examples of how schools can use their pupil premium grand include:

• Recruiting additional Teaching Assistants (TAs)
• Staff training and professional development
• Recruiting specialist staff to improve learning outcomes

Funding rates for the upcoming 2026 to 2027 financial year

Each year the pupil premium rates differ based on a few criteria. The following is the grant allocations to schools and local authorities in the 2025 to 2026 financial year, based on per pupil rates:

Children who are looked after by the local authority

• Amount of funding for each primary-aged pupil per year: £2,690
• Amount of funding for each secondary-aged pupil per year: £2,690
• Funding is paid to: Local authority

Pupils previously looked after by a local authority or other state care

• Amount of funding for each primary-aged pupil per year: £2,690
• Amount of funding for each secondary-aged pupil per year: £2,690
• Funding is paid to: School

Pupils who are eligible for free school meals, or have been eligible in the past 6 years

• Amount of funding for each primary-aged pupil per year: £1,550
• Amount of funding for each secondary-aged pupil per year: £1,100
• Funding is paid to: School

The importance of Teaching Assistants

Support staff are imperative in helping pupils. As classrooms become busier than ever, having a TA in the classroom to offer a more one to one approach for students can really help provide important support.

Teaching assistants can also adapt to the needs of the school and students, fulfilling various roles as required. This versatility allows schools to respond more effectively to changing circumstances and student needs.

This aspect of TAs is especially crucial as schools face rising numbers of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Having additional support staff in every classroom will help provide pupils with the support they need and alleviate the pressure on the classroom teacher.

Inspire ATA’s recruitment services for schools

In partnership with the Department for Education (DfE), Inspire ATA help recruit and employ apprentices on behalf of schools and trusts. We offer a range of roles to support educational settings gain qualified teaching and support staff. We provide tailored recruitment support and act as the employer to your apprentice, removing the pressures of headcounts and paperwork. To learn more about our staffing solutions, book a discovery call with a member of the Inspire ATA team today.