The DfE has appointed a Pupil Premium tsar to visit schools and share examples of the best use of Pupil Premium (currently £623 per pupil). In addition, the chief inspector of schools, Michael Wilshaw, has announced that Ofsted inspectors will be asked to review the academic achievement of disadvantaged pupils and those attracting Pupil Premium, in particular.
The plans will see schools which perform badly being investigated by outside head teachers with superior track records on helping disadvantaged children and given recommendations for using Pupil Premium funding more effectively.
How Pupil Premium funds are spent by schools is flexible and a matter for their professional judgement. Disadvantage is a very complex issue and, unsurprisingly, is dealt within different ways in schools. Any clear guidelines on what is expected of schools and advice on the proven, most effective ways to help disadvantaged children achieve their potential must be welcomed.