Oral Answers to Questions

Laura Sandys Excerpts

Monday 29th October 2012 Commons Chamber

[Matthew Hancock]

Yes.

[Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (Con)]

2. What assessment he has made of the effects of the pupil premium on pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

[The Minister for Schools (Mr David Laws)]

The pupil premium represents a significant investment of £1.875 billion since its introduction in April 2011. We are keen to ensure that schools’ use of the premium leads to real improvements for disadvantaged pupils. We have two evaluations under way—a study we have commissioned from Ofsted and our own external evaluation of the premium’s first year. The findings of both reviews will be available next spring, and will further support our drive to promote best practice.

[Laura Sandys]

I welcome the Minister to his position and thank him for his answer. Fifty-six per cent. of the children at Newington primary school are on free school meals. In the headmaster’s view, the pupil premium has doubled key stage 2 attainment and improved maths and English scores by 41%. Will the Minister give a commitment that the money will be in the hands of the head teacher and not ring-fenced in future?

[Mr Laws]

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her kind words and am delighted to hear of the success of the pupil premium in her local school. I can confirm that we are not going back to the days under the previous Government, who sought to micro-manage each piece of education expenditure.