Understand how the pupil premium is allocated
- Pupil premium funding is allocated for the financial, rather than the academic year
- In 2025-26, for mainstream and special schools it's allocated based on the numbers of eligible pupils recorded on your roll in the October 2024 census
- For pupil referral units (PRUs) it’s allocated based on the number of eligible pupils recorded in the January 2025 census
- Maintained schools – LAs receive the money from the DfE and allocate it out to their schools
- Academies and non-maintained special schools – receive the money directly from the DfE
See our other article for information on pupil eligibility and funding rates for 2025-26.
You're not required to spend all your allocation in the financial year for which it's provided. Find out more about the conditions for spending the pupil premium.
Payment dates in 2025-26
Maintained schools You'll receive payments