Kevin Foster the Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Torbay has welcomed news that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in Torquay and Paignton have been allocated £4,004,000 for 2014/15 to help them achieve their full potential. This is good news for pupils and good news for their families.

The Pupil Premium is additional funding given to schools so that they can support their disadvantaged pupils and close the attainment gap between them and their peers. The Government has increased Pupil Premium funding to £1.875 billion in 2013-14, with schools attracting £900 per disadvantaged child, with an additional payment of £53 for primary-aged pupils.

In 2014-15, the funding will rise to £2.5 billion, with £1,300 for primary-aged pupils, £935 for secondary-aged pupils and £1,900 for all looked-after children, adopted children and children with guardians. In total, schools in Torquay and Paignton will receive £10,218,000 between 2011 and 2015.

Kevin commented: “This is excellent news for disadvantaged pupils and their families in the bay and will give local schools the support they need to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, can fulfil their potential.”