Bath’s MP, Don Foster, has welcomed the news that hundreds of disadvantaged schoolchildren in Bath are reaping the benefits of the Pupil Premium.
Figures show that last year over 30% of youngsters from poorer backgrounds in Bath and North East Somerset achieved five or more GCSEs at A* to C grade.
This year’s figures show that the Pupil Premium success story in B&NES is continuing as the percentage of youngsters from poorer backgrounds is the same as in 2012 as payments introduced by the Liberal Democrats in Government continue to have a great impact.
Commenting, Don Foster said: “This is further proof Pupil Premium is transforming the chances of pupils across the country and helping to build a stronger economy and fairer society.
“The Lib Dems are increasing the pupil premium budget to £2.5 billion this year as well as extending the policy to three and four-year-olds.”
Ofsted said the figures showed headteachers were spending pupil premium more effectively with the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their classmates closing.
Last autumn it was announced that pupils at over twenty schools in Bath would benefit from close to an extra £1 million on top of the school budget thanks to the Liberal Democrat Pupil Premium.
Schools in Bath that received a boost included St Michael’s C of E Junior School, which received £104,400; St Martin’s Garden Primary School received £83,700; Weston All Saints C of E Primary School received £75,600 and Twerton Infant School received £66,000.
The Pupil Premium is one of a number of policies which have seen the Lib Dems in Government focus on aiding children in education.
Don Foster added: “The party has already made sure from September all infants will receive free school meals.
“So there can be no doubt the Liberal Democrat’s priority lies in helping all pupils achieve their potential.”
