Update on impact of Jersey Pupil Premium

WQ.144/2026

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING

BY DEPUTY L.M.C. DOUBLET OF ST. SAVIOUR

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 13th JULY 2026

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 20th JULY 2026

Question

"Will the Minister provide an update on the impact of the Jersey Pupil Premium programme, including any demonstrated improvement in educational attainment gaps?"

Answer

School level impact

Each school evaluates the impact of their Jersey Premium strategy annually, with reports published on their webpages in January/February of each year. Evaluation of these reports shows that schools are adopting a consistent Island-wide approach:

• funding is now consistently used in an evidence-informed way, in line with the recommendations of the Education Endowment Fund;

• schools tend to prioritise developing and ensuring teaching quality for all students rather than using it for isolated interventions with groups or individuals;

• literacy, numeracy and communication remain the key academic targets;

• wellbeing and attendance are now treated as equally important outcome measures;

In  addition,  the  Jersey  School  Reviews  always  evaluate  the  application  of  Jersey  Premium funds. Reviewers assess how well pupils receiving Jersey Premium funding progress by the end of each key stage compared with pupils who started at a similar level. They consider whether these pupils are meeting age-related expectations and whether any gaps in progress or attainment are reducing over time as a result of the funding. Reviewers also evaluate the impact of the school's use of Jersey Premium funding in helping pupils reach expected standards, achieve greater depth in their learning, and access increased challenge. Where funding supports pupils with particular talents or aptitudes, reviewers comment on the overall effectiveness of that provision. For example, a recent report stated, The school goes to significant lengths to ensure equity and adapt its curriculum around its pupil groups so they are ready for later life. Leaders check carefully that pupils who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, benefit from the same curricular opportunities as others.'

Island level impact

Schools receive funding for each cohort of pupils identified as eligible for Jersey Premium in their school and allocate that funding to best meet the needs of that cohort of learners, as detailed in their published Jersey Premium Plans and evaluations.

At an Island level we evaluate how different groups of children (such as those who are eligible for Jersey Premium funding) are being supported in their education. We consider comparative results in teacher assessments of reading, writing and mathematics in primary schools (KS2), at KS4 (GCSE and level 1/level 2 qualifications) and KS5 (A level and level 3 qualifications) between Pupils eligible for Jersey Premium and those who are not eligible. This comparative analysis will identify the difference in attainment between the groups, or as the question asks, an attainment gap'.

Between 2021 and 2025 the gap between Pupils with Jersey Premium and those not eligible at the end primary  school  (Key  stage  2)  has  reduced  in  reading,  writing  and  mathematics  based  on  teacher assessments, with the overall attainment difference reducing from 20.9% to 15.8%. At GCSE, the gap difference has fluctuated both up and down over the same period but overall has remained static at 27.4%. At KS5 over the same period similarly there are year on year fluctuations which are best interpreted with the context of year-on-year differences in the cohort and their characteristics. Overall, the gap in A level achievement between 2021 and 2025 has dropped from 6.4% to 4.8%.