More schools use pupil premium to offset cuts, says charity

A small but rising number of schools in England are diverting money meant for disadvantaged pupils to offset budget cuts, says an education charity.

Of 1,600 teachers polled for Sutton Trust in March, 6% said pupil premium money was used to offset budget cuts, compared with 2% the previous year.

The charity’s chairman, Sir Peter Lampl, described the trend as worrying.

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National Association of Head Teachers’ General Secretary Russell Hobby said Ofsted inspections already include checks on how effectively schools use the grants.

“This gives school leaders guidance and parents the confidence that their children are being helped.

“The real question raised by the Sutton Trust report is the strain that school budgets are under.

“Chronic underfunding means that school budgets are at breaking point forcing some schools to make tough choices that really they shouldn’t have to, said Mr Hobby.

Read the full report here.