What is Pupil Premium Plus?

Pupil Premium Plus (PP+) is additional funding provided by the Department for Education (DfE) to support the education of children in care. This funding is allocated directly to AfC Virtual School Executive Headteacher (VSEH), who is responsible for managing and distributing the funding in line with the national guidance provided by the DfE.

Children eligible for PP+ are those who have been in local authority care for at least 24 hours, from the Early Years Foundation Stage up to the end of Key Stage 4.

Each local authority may take a different approach to how the funding is used. For example:

• Some may decide to retain all funds centrally within their Virtual School

• Others may opt to delegate the full amount to schools

• Most Virtual Schools adopt a hybrid model, where they delegate a portion of the funding to schools, whilst retaining some for strategic projects and support

 

How Does AfC Virtual School Allocate Pupil Premium Plus?

Delegated Funding

AfC Virtual School delegates £300 per term to schools, paid retrospectively at the end of each term. This is calculated on a pro rata basis, depending on the number of weeks a child was in care during that term. For students who are in Early Years provisions, we distribute £100 per term.

For some schools, particularly those located outside the local authority, a new supplier form must be completed in order for AfC to set your school up to receive payments from us (see attachments below for relevant New Supplier Forms).

If you believe your school has not received expected PP+ funding, please contact us promptly to ensure the young person receives the support they are entitled to.

 

Important: All PP+ spending must be linked to the child’s targets on their ePEP (electronic Personal Education Plan). The impact of the intervention must be clearly evidenced on the PP+ Impact section of the ePEP.

 

What Can Pupil Premium Plus Be Used For?

PP+ funding should be used to support educational progress and can include strategies which address social, emotional or mental health needs that may be acting as a barrier to learning.

Common uses of PP+ include:

• 1:1 tuition in key subject areas

• Targeted intervention programmes aligned with ePEP targets

• Support to enhance wellbeing and engagement where this impacts educational outcomes

• Emotion Coaching

• Therapy including Equine Therapy

• Counselling

• Sports Club, Breakfast and Lunch Clubs

• Careers Advice / Leadership Support

• School Equipment and Resources

• Residential / Academic Trips

• Music Lessons

• Drama Therapy

• Play Therapy

• Art Therapy

• Homework Club

• Sensory Support & Resources, Holiday Club, Summer School

• ELSA Support

• Emotion Coaching

• Transition to Schools etc.

We strongly encourage interventions are evidence-informed, for example, drawing on resources from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) or the Sutton Trust.

If you are unsure how to make the most effective use of PP+ funding, please get in touch with AfC Virtual School for advice and guidance.

 

Requesting Additional Funding

Additional funding can be applied for and would be subject to approval by the Finance Panel, at the discretion of AfC Virtual School’s Executive Headteacher.  Designated Teachers should contact their respective Deputy/Assistant Headteacher within AfC Virtual School to discuss any requests for supplementary funding and ensure the form is completed as required. The form for completion will be made available to you on request.