The Pupil Development Grant (PDG) and Early Years Pupil Development Grant (EYPDG) are provided to schools to support learners from low-income families who are eligible for free school meals (eFSM), learners who are looked after (LAC), and eligible pupils in the early years. Schools are expected to use this funding to implement sustainable strategies that reduce barriers to learning and improve outcomes.
At Laugharne VCP School, we have a clear plan, monitored by Carmarthenshire Local Authority, to promote progress and remove barriers to learning for pupils eligible for this funding.
As a school, we follow three agreed steps:
- to identify the target group of pupils, their characteristics and needs
- to plan support that makes the most effective use of available resources
- to monitor and evaluate the impact of this support
Funding allocation 2025–2026
In the 2025–2026 academic year, Laugharne VCP School received:
- Pupil Development Grant (PDG): £11,500
- PDG ‘Smoothing’ allocation: £1,656 (temporary)
- Early Years Pupil Development Grant (EYPDG): £1,150
How we use the funding
Due to the relatively small scale of the PDG and EYPDG allocations, funding is used to contribute towards staffing capacity and targeted provision, rather than to fund discrete posts or standalone programmes.
The funding supports:
- targeted in-class and small-group support, particularly in literacy and numeracy
- pupils’ emotional wellbeing, engagement and readiness to learn
- early identification of need and timely intervention
- equitable access to educational visits and wider learning experiences
- targeted early years support to develop communication, independence and early learning skills
Monitoring and impact
The impact of PDG and EYPDG funding is monitored through assessment and tracking information, pupil progress meetings, attendance and wellbeing data, and professional evaluation.
A more detailed plan outlining expenditure and impact is available on request.