Big boost for primary schools in East Midlands

Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg has announced the biggest ever rise in the Pupil Premium for primary schools to help ensure that more pupils are able to achieve higher standards.

The Pupil Premium provides schools with extra money to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This will help whole classes move forward faster together.

It will be increased to £1,300 per eligible primary school pupil in 2014/15, up from £900 per child this year. That's likely to be an extra £33million for primary schools in East Midlands.

Schools will be able to spend this money in ways that they feel helps their pupils best. Evidence shows some schools use it to hire extra staff, reading and maths classes for children who need an extra hand or provide appropriate IT facilities.

Commenting, Bill Newton Dunn Liberal Democrat MEP in the East Midlands said:

"All the evidence shows that if your child starts behind in secondary school, they stay behind. That is unacceptable.

"As part of the Liberal Democrats' aim to build a fairer society, the Coalition Government is putting extra money into primary schools to help teachers support disadvantaged children.

"This boost in the Pupil Premium will help ensure we give those children a better start at secondary school, so they have a better start in life."

Commenting further, Nick Clegg said:

"I am delighted to announce a significant increase in the Pupil Premium at primary level.

"This increase in money for every eligible primary school child will help ensure that all pupils are ready to reach their full potential in secondary school.

"This will allow all our children to get the best possible start in life."

The Facts:

• In 2012, only 68 per cent of 11 year olds eligible for the Pupil Premium achieved the expected level in English and Maths. 84 per cent of all other pupils aged 11 achieved that.

• 47 per cent of pupils who did not score in the top or middle third of the Level 4 mark range in both English and maths went on to achieve at least five A*-C GCSE grades including English and maths last year.