STOCKPORT SCHOOLS SET TO GET NEARLY £2M IN PUPIL PREMIUM CASH

Andrew Stunell MP recently visited Marple Hall High School to see how their £189,000 of extra Pupil Premium cash is to be spent helping children learn. His fact-finding meeting with Headteacher Dr Rose Regan was a follow-up to the Government's announcement in December that every school will now receive £900 for every disadvantaged pupil.

Commenting, Andrew said -

"The Pupil Premium puts an extra £900 a year into a school's budget for each youngster on free school meals. I've been visiting local schools to find out how it's going. There's a lot of imaginative work and support being done, and good signs that it will lead on to better learning and better results for children. I'm delighted that this Liberal Democrat initiative is making a difference locally."

Dr Regan discussed Marple Hall's detailed plans with Mr Stunell - and has now published them on the school website.

Now Mr Stunell is asking parents to make sure their child is registered for free school meals if they are eligible. "It's more important than it looks, as once your child is registered the school will get the extra money to help them succeed in the rest of their school career. Liberal Democrats are building a strong economy and fair society where everyone can get ahead. To do that we need to make sure that children are not held back, so I'm asking parents to apply if they are eligible."

The Pupil Premium covers any primary or secondary school pupil that has been registered for Free School Meals in the past six years. For 2013/14, the Premium will be worth £1.65bn, or £900 per pupil, in total. In 2014/15 this will then rise again.

Andrew recently visited Warren Wood Primary in Offerton who will receive nearly £30,000 in the next Pupil Premium cash instalment. Other schools, including Torkington Primary, St Christopher's and Harrytown, will be spelling out their plans to him in the next month.

Across Stockport schools are getting an extra £1.8m added to their budgets this year by the Pupil Premium.