MP welcomes additional funding for schools

3rd November 2011
MP welcomes additional funding for schools

Local MP, Gordon Henderson, has welcomed funding totalling £1,338,145 in Pupil Premiums that will be allocated to schools across Sittingbourne and Sheppey in 2011-12.

The Minister of State for Children, Sarah Teather MP, announced earlier this year that in addition to main school funding a further £488 Pupil Premium would be given to schools to target pupils from low income families who generally do not achieve as well as pupils from more advantaged backgrounds.

The Premium, which will be provided for pupils known to be eligible for free school meals in January 2011, will support them in reaching their potential and help schools reduce educational inequalities. Schools are to decide how the Pupil Premium is spent since they are best placed to assess what additional provision should be made for the individual pupils within their responsibility.

Amongst the schools in Sittingbourne and Sheppey that will benefit most from this additional funding are primary schools such as Rose Street in Sheerness where 49% of pupils are eligible for the Premium and Regis Manor in Sittingbourne where 45.3% of pupils are eligible.

The five secondary schools in Sittingbourne will receive a total of £274,256 in pupil premiums for 562 eligible pupils whilst the Isle of Sheppey Academy, which has 418 eligible pupils, will receive an additional £203,984.

Mr Henderson said,

“The additional funding available for 2011-12 is of great benefit to those pupils from some of the more deprived areas in my constituency of Sittingbourne and Sheppey.

“The Pupil Premium will help schools give a better chance to reach their potential, regardless of their background.”