What is the Virtual School?

Guidance for schools

The pupil premium funding for children in care is additional funding allocated to schools to support pupils in the care of the local authority.

The funding is to:

• Help achieve better educational outcomes for children in care
• Close the attainment gap with their peers.

It is the statutory responsibility of the Virtual School Head to manage this fund. They must ensure that any funding allocated meets the child's educational needs, as described in their Personal Education Plan (PEP).

There is evidence that PP+ is most effective when used across 3 areas identified in the DfE's Menu of Approaches, and we would expect schools to prioritise these, in accordance with needs identified in a young person's PEP:

1. High-quality teaching, such as staff professional development
2. Targeted academic support, such as tutoring
3. Wider strategies to address non-academic barriers to success in schools, such as attendance, behaviour, and social and emotional support

Norfolk process for the allocation of the pupil premium grant 2024-25

For details of the Norfolk Pupil Premium Plus funding policy please see guidance which can be downloaded from the bottom of the page.

For further information read Pupil premium 2024-25 : conditions of grant

Exceptional Funding

All requests for exceptional funding should be submitted before putting an intervention in place, as funding is never guaranteed.

Any requests above £600 per term should be discussed with your Virtual School Adviser.

Need more help?

Contact Clare Farrant, Pupil Premium Manager on 01603 307769 or email clare.farrant@norfolk.gov.uk