As the new school year begins, local students will benefit from extra government funding thanks to the Lib Dem Pupil Premium guaranteeing more money for schools in the area says Lewes MP Norman Baker.
Local schools will gain nearly £2million, with money going towards children who need it the most. By helping the most disadvantaged the fund will help schools reach their full potential.
Fewer children falling behind will mean less disruption in class and a better education for everyone.
The amount available to schools is increasing. In 2014/15, the Pupil Premium will be raised to £1,300 per eligible primary school pupil, up from £900 per child this year.
This year’s funding towards local schools, a total of £1,899,600, is nearly twice as much as last year’s total.
The Pupil Premium provides schools with extra money to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds. This will help whole classes move forward faster together.
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 to offer reading and maths classes for children who need an extra hand or to provide appropriate IT facilities.
Mr Baker said: “All the evidence shows that if your child starts behind in 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. It is very promising to see that local schools are getting the benefits of this scheme. The larger secondary schools in the area are each receiving more than £100,000 in funding.”