Funding Increase for Wales’ Most Disadvantaged Pupils

Over £3.5m of Welsh Government funding has been announced to help support some of Wrexham’s most disadvantaged children.

The amount of funding delivered via the Pupil Development Grant will increase across Wales and local Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths has welcomed the changes.

She said: “Every child deserves the best start in life and this extension of the Pupil Development Grant will benefit even more vulnerable children in Wrexham and across Wales.”

“Over £3.5m has been earmarked for Wrexham and I am certain that will make a positive difference to the lives of many disadvantaged children in our town.  Extending the programme demonstrates the Welsh Labour Government is committed to supporting our most underprivileged pupils, providing even more with the opportunity to succeed.”

Formally called the Pupil Deprivation Grant, the newly named Pupil Development Grant will invest over £90m in total across Wales over this current financial year.

The grant will include funding to:

• Double the grant to £600 per eligible child in nursery and reception classes.
• Extend support to all three year old looked-after children.  The funding can also be used to support previously looked-after children who have been adopted.
• Extend the support to pupils whose education happens outside a school setting.  Currently only those from pupil referral units receive the support.