Targeted funding for persistently disadvantaged students would drive long-term growth

SHINE and its partners have urged the government to reallocate savings from declining pupil numbers to boost funding for long-term disadvantaged students.

This would be a critical step in meeting the government’s missions to break down barriers to opportunity and drive long-term economic growth.

As part of the Northern Powerhouse Education Consortium, SHINE submitted a proposal to the government’s Spending Review. The consortium, which includes SHINE, the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP), Schools North East, and Tutor Trust, is committed to addressing educational inequalities across the North of England.

The submission states: “There are parts of England where schools serve a significant proportion of children from long-term disadvantaged backgrounds. These schools should be given additional funding to help focus resources on the children who need it most.

“Additional funding for persistently disadvantaged students will act as a key driver long-term economic growth by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic background, have access to quality education”.

“When disadvantaged students receive additional support, they are more likely to gain the necessary skills to succeed in the job market. This results in a more educated and capable workforce, which is vital for economic development, as higher educational attainment leads to greater productivity and higher wages.

“Better targeting of support could also help to reduce the cycle of poverty that can trap families and communities for generations. In the long run, investing in the education of disadvantaged students provides a significant return on investment for the economy.

“As disadvantaged students move into the workforce, they not only contribute to the economy directly but also help reduce the costs associated with unemployment, underemployment, and reliance on the state.”

The Northern Powerhouse Education Consortium supports recent recommendations from the EPI on Pupil Premium reform.

These include an investment of £640 million a year in targeted funding from the savings made by falling pupil numbers. This would reverse real terms cuts in the Pupil Premium and also target additional funding specifically for persistently disadvantaged pupils through an enhanced Pupil Premium. This enhanced premium would be worth a further £308 per primary persistently disadvantaged pupil and £255 per secondary persistently disadvantaged pupil.

The consortium’s submission concludes: “By ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed, we create a more resilient, balanced, and sustainable economy, benefiting both individuals and the country as a whole.”

Read the full submission here.