The EEF Guide to the Pupil Premium
Published
What is the Pupil Premium, and why does it matter?
The Pupil Premium has one central aim: to raise the educational outcomes of disadvantaged pupils. In doing this, it also supports our mission to close the wide and persistent gap in achievement that separates children who grow up in poverty from their more affluent peers.
These gaps affect more than education and employment outcomes. Higher achievement is also tied to better health and well-being throughout our lives beyond education.
2.2m
The number of pupils attracting funding in the 2025-26 financial year.
£1,515
Available in funding to schools per eligible primary-aged pupil.
£1,075
Available in funding to schools per eligible secondary-aged pupil.
19.2 months
Gap in attainment between disadvantaged pupils and their more affluent peers by the end of secondary school.
An effective Pupil Premium strategy allows schools to intervene early and prevent these attainment gaps from growing. It is one of the most powerful tools we have for supporting education equity.
What is the Pupil Premium?
The Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to publicly funded primary and secondary schools in England to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged pupils. This year, the total value of Pupil Premium is over £3billion.
Click here for more detail on the Pupil Premium policy.
Why does it matter?
A wide, persistent gap in achievement separates children who grow up in poverty from their better off peers.
The attainment gap at end of the reception year is 4.6 months, and that gap doubles by end of primary and doubles again by end of secondary. A key focus of your Pupil Premium strategy should be to intervene early to prevent gaps from growing.
Education impacts more than just jobs. Higher achievement is also tied to better health and well-being throughout our lives beyond education.
Sonia Thompson
Director of St Matthew’s Research School
What is a school Pupil Premium strategy?
Every school is required to develop a Pupil Premium strategy to set out how they are spending their funding to support the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. The Department for Education (DfE) requires every school to publish an updated strategy statement every academic year before 31 December, using DfE’s provided template. Our guide is intended to support effective planning in relation to this template.
We recommend a long-term, three year approach to Pupil Premium planning, but schools still must review and publish an updated strategy statement every academic year.
Our five-step guide to Pupil Premium is aligned with DfE’s guidance for school leaders and will support you to develop and refine your strategy, ensuring it is an ongoing process not a one-off event.