For many school leaders, pupil premium funding raises a straightforward question: what actually works? Tutoring consistently sits near the top of the answer.
The Education Endowment Foundation rates small group and 1:1 tuition as one of the highest-impact interventions available, particularly for disadvantaged pupils who have fallen behind in core subjects. So yes, pupil premium can absolutely be used for tutoring, and for many schools it's one of the most defensible ways to spend it.
Pupil premium can fund a range of tutoring models, including online 1:1 sessions, small group tuition, and in-school interventions delivered by external providers. The key is that provision needs to be targeted. You're looking to close specific, identifiable gaps rather than offering general academic support.
Reading, writing, and maths are the most common focus areas, and rightly so. These are the foundations everything else builds on.
Ofsted and your own internal evaluation will want to see that your tutoring provision is evidence-based and measurable. That means:
It's also worth making sure that whoever delivers the tuition is aligned with what's happening in the classroom. Tutoring works best when it reinforces and extends classroom learning, not when it runs parallel to it.
Any external provider working with your pupils needs to meet your school's safeguarding requirements. That means enhanced DBS checks as a minimum, along with clear protocols for online sessions if tuition is delivered remotely.
If you're reviewing how to allocate pupil premium this year, tutoring is worth prioritising, particularly for pupils who are behind in reading or maths and need structured, targeted support to catch up.
The most effective programmes tend to be short and focused: six to twelve weeks, clearly defined objectives, and regular communication between tutor and class teacher. That's where you'll see the strongest results.
So, if you're looking for qualified, classroom-experienced teachers to support your pupil premium provision, get in touch with Primary Tutor Project. We work with schools across the UK to deliver targeted, evidence-based tuition in reading, writing, and maths, helping disadvantaged pupils close the gap and build lasting confidence.
