School Funding: A Quick Guide
Excluding capital funding, the UK school budget for 2024/25 was set at £63.7 billion. This is primarily allocated to schools through three distinct funding tiers.
The Three Elements of SEN Funding
Element 1 (Core Funding): Approximately £4,000 per pupil. This is allocated to all children attending UK schools and covers essential expenses, such as teacher salaries and school maintenance.
Element 2 (Additional Support): An additional £6,000 is provided for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or additional needs. This is automatically allocated to schools from the National SEN Budget. How schools utilise these funds can vary significantly; some schools prioritise SEN support, while others distribute them more broadly. If you have a child with SEN and feel the support is inadequate, it is advisable to ask the school specifically how they are utilising their Element 2 funding to assist your child.
Element 3 (Top-Up Funding): Also known as EHCP funding. This amount is variable and is provided by the Local Authority (LA) from their High Needs block. It supplements Elements 1 and 2 based on the child's specific, assessed needs and can range from hundreds to tens of thousands of pounds. [Read my guide on EHCPs and how to advocate for them here.]
Pupil Premium Grant
The Pupil Premium is additional funding provided to state schools to enhance educational outcomes for students from low-income families. This grant is crucial for bridging the attainment gaps many disadvantaged children experience. Schools can use these funds for interventions, extracurricular activities, educational resources, free school meals, and more.
Parents who receive Universal Credit, Income Support, or Job Seeker’s Allowance may qualify for Pupil Premium.
Pupil Premium Rates for 2025/26:
Primary-age children: £1,515 per year
Secondary-age children: £1,075 per year
Other Grants
Pupil Premium Plus (PPP): Targeted funding for looked-after children.
Service Pupil Premium (SPP): Targeted funding for the children of service personnel.
Written by John Hugill
March 2025