Extra cash for schools if children have been adopted

The Government's putting more cash into the Pupil Premium scheme which means some Liverpool schools could be due some more cash.

But the money is dependent on parents taking action.

Up to now the Pupil Premium has given extra money to schools for each pupil who has had free school meals at any point during the last six years, is a son or daughter of a service family or is a looked after child.

Now the eligibility is extended to cover another group of children, which includes some who have been adopted. 

For the school to qualify though, the parents have to confirm that this is the case.

The exact extra eligibility is:

Schools are eligible if they educate a child who:
• Was adopted from care on or after 30th December 2005 (under the Adoption and Children Act 2002)
• Left care under a Special Guardianship Order on or after 30th December 2005 (under the Children Act 1989)
• Left care under a Residential Order on or after 14th October 1991 (under the Children Act 1989)

Schools or the Council should have been in touch to prompt parents to confirm that this is the case, but if this affects your child it's important you proactively contact the school.

The extra money that schools get under the Pupil Premium goes directly to the school for use on initiatives to deal with the effects of deprivation and differences in attainment.  It can include things like one to one teaching or special sessions.  Schools have to publish on line how each year's money is spent.