Funding for schools to help your child
Mainstream schools receive money according to the number of pupils, what Key Stage of education the children are in, where in the country the school is located, and additional needs for example SEND or deprivation.
This should cover the costs of a curriculum that meets the needs of all children in the school.
School budgets can be used to help children with SEND in any way the school believes will meet the needs of the children. This may be through providing additional resources, additional time with an adult or training for staff.
SEN funding
The notional SEN budget is an identified amount within a mainstream school’s overall budget and is not separate. It is an identified amount intended as a guide, and is neither a target nor a constraint on a school’s duty to use its ‘best endeavours’ to secure provision for pupils with SEN. Appropriate provision for pupils with SEND should be additional to and different from the usual support provided for other learners in the class.
Top-up funding
This provides for children and young people with more complex needs, normally with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Who should receive this funding, how much they should receive and for how long is decided by a range of education, health and social care professionals, with experience and expertise in SEND, who work together for the best interests of the child.
The pupil premium
This is additional funding given to schools by the government so that they can support disadvantaged pupils, and close the attainment gap between them and their peers.
Schools receive pupil premium for pupils in Year groups Reception to Year 11 who have been eligible for free school meals over the last 6 years.
Schools must publish a report on their website to explain how pupil premium funding is spent each year. This will not identify individual pupils.