Pupil Premium Plus is a higher rate of Pupil Premium funding that schools and local authorities in England receive for children who are looked after by a local authority, and for children who were previously looked after. It is significantly more per pupil than the standard Pupil Premium and is ring-fenced for improving those specific children's educational outcomes.
What is the difference between Pupil Premium and Pupil Premium Plus?
The standard Pupil Premium is granted to schools for pupils who have been registered for free school meals at any point in the past six years ("Ever 6 FSM"), for children of service personnel, and for some other groups. In 2024–25 this is around £1,050 per secondary pupil per year and £1,480 per primary pupil.
Pupil Premium Plus is a separate, higher-rate grant worth approximately £2,570 per pupil per year. It applies to two groups:
| Group | Short description | Who manages the funding |
|---|---|---|
| Looked-after children (LAC) | Children in the care of a local authority — including those in foster care, residential homes, or kinship placements | The local authority's Virtual School Head |
| Previously looked-after children (post-LAC) | Children who left care via adoption, a Special Guardianship Order (SGO), or a Child Arrangements Order (CAO) | The school the child attends |
Both rates are reviewed each April. Parents and carers should check the current year's figures on the gov.uk Pupil Premium guidance page.
What is a Virtual School Head?
Every local authority in England must appoint a Virtual School Head (VSH), a senior officer who acts as the designated champion for all looked-after children's education across the authority, regardless of which school they attend. The VSH:
- Oversees how Pupil Premium Plus is spent for children who are currently looked after
- Works with schools to write and review each child's Personal Education Plan (PEP) — a statutory document updated at least three times a year
- Tracks attainment and attendance data for all LAC in the authority
- Advises foster carers, residential staff, and schools on educational strategies
If your child is currently looked after, the VSH and their team are the key contact for any school-related concerns, not just funding decisions.
What is a Personal Education Plan?
A Personal Education Plan (PEP) is a statutory requirement for every looked-after child. It is updated at least three times per academic year (usually termly) and reviewed at each child's Care Review. The PEP covers:
- The child's educational attainment, attendance, and progress
- Short-term targets and the support needed to achieve them
- How Pupil Premium Plus will be used to fund that support
- Any additional needs, including SEND provision
The school, the child (age-appropriately), the foster carer or residential key worker, the social worker, and the VSH all contribute. Parents with parental responsibility may also attend PEP reviews. If you are an adoptive parent or hold a Special Guardianship Order, ask the school's SENCO or designated teacher for looked-after children to share a copy.
How is post-LAC Pupil Premium Plus spent?
For previously looked-after children (those who left care via adoption, SGO, or CAO), the Pupil Premium Plus is paid directly to the school. Schools are expected to spend it on provision for that individual child — not absorbed into a general fund. Typical uses include:
- One-to-one tuition or small-group academic support
- Therapeutic support such as counselling or play therapy
- Speech and language therapy top-ups beyond NHS provision
- Specialist equipment or assistive technology
- Additional staff training on attachment and trauma-informed approaches
Schools must publish a Pupil Premium strategy statement each year, and Ofsted inspectors examine how effectively the funding is being used and whether it is closing gaps in attainment and wellbeing.
How does Ofsted inspect Pupil Premium Plus use?
Under Ofsted's inspection framework, inspectors look at outcomes for disadvantaged pupils — a category that includes all Pupil Premium recipients. For schools with looked-after or previously looked-after children on roll, inspectors will specifically look at:
- Whether PEP targets are ambitious and regularly reviewed
- Whether the designated teacher for looked-after children has sufficient time and training
- Whether Pupil Premium Plus spending is evidenced and evaluated
- Whether gaps between PP pupils and their peers are narrowing
A weak response to this line of questioning can contribute to a lower overall inspection judgement, so most schools take their obligations seriously.
What should I do if I am unsure whether my child qualifies?
If your child was looked after at any point — even briefly — it is worth checking with the school whether they are recorded correctly. Post-LAC status is sometimes missed at transition points, such as when a child moves from primary to secondary school. You do not need to share the details of the care history with the school; simply confirming that an adoption order, SGO, or CAO is in place is sufficient.
For children who are currently looked after, the social worker and VSH team should automatically ensure the school is aware. If you are a foster carer and the school seems unfamiliar with the PEP process, contact the VSH at the local authority directly.
Frequently asked questions
Does Pupil Premium Plus apply in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland?
Pupil Premium Plus as described here is an England-specific grant. Wales operates a similar scheme called the Pupil Development Grant (PDG), which includes a looked-after children element. Scotland has its own pupil equity funding arrangements. Northern Ireland has separate provision through the Education Authority. The rates, eligibility rules, and oversight structures differ in each nation.
Can I ask the school how they are spending Pupil Premium Plus for my child?
Yes. Schools are required to publish their Pupil Premium strategy statement publicly. You can also ask the school's designated teacher for looked-after children (every school with a LAC on roll must appoint one) for a conversation about how the funding is being used specifically for your child. For post-LAC pupils, this conversation should happen at least annually.
What is the designated teacher for looked-after children?
Every maintained school and academy in England that has a looked-after child on roll must designate a qualified teacher to act as the key point of contact. This teacher liaises with the VSH, contributes to PEPs, and acts as a bridge between the school's pastoral system and the care system. They are not the same as the SENCO, though in smaller schools one person may hold both roles.
What if my adopted child is struggling but the school says there is no funding available?
Post-LAC Pupil Premium Plus follows the child regardless of the school they attend, and schools receive it automatically once the adoption, SGO, or CAO is confirmed. If the school claims to be unaware of the funding, contact your local authority's VSH team who can verify the position and, if necessary, contact the school on your behalf.
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