Mike Hedges AM welcomes news Schools to share in over £90m to help disadvantaged learners

Mike Hedges AM welcomes news Schools to share in over £90m to help disadvantaged learners

Schools across Wales are to share in over £90m in 2018-19 to help their most disadvantaged learners, the Welsh Labour Government have announced.

Mike Hedges AM said… ‘I have visited schools right across Swansea East. It is clear that support to pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds and from low income families is vital to the success of children from these families. I welcome this commitment of extra funds as evidence of Welsh Labour’s commitment to these pupils and their ongoing success.’

Schools across Wales have been written to, to confirm how much they will directly receive in 2018-19.

In addition to over £90m committed this year, £187m has been guaranteed for the remainder of the Assembly term, so that schools have the stability to plan ahead.

The Pupil Development Grant (PDG) helps schools tackle the effects of poverty and disadvantage on attainment and is targeted at learners who are eligible for Free School Meals or are Looked After Children.

Schools use the PDG in a number of different ways, including nurture groups for children who may be socially and emotionally vulnerable, out-of-hours school learning, on-site multi-agency support and better tracking of pupils as they progress through school.

This year, the PDG for the youngest learners (pupils aged 3-4 years old) has increased from £600 to £700 per pupil. This builds on last year’s doubling of financial support from £300 to £600 per learner in the early years.

Primary and secondary schools will continue to receive a rate of £1,150 per learner, and this rate also continues to apply to learners in education other than at school (EOTAS).

From this year, schools will also have greater flexibility to support learners who have been eligible for Free School Meals in the previous two years.

Advisers and coordinators from education consortia are also on-hand to provide extra support and guidance for schools on using the funding.