Pupil Premium is one of the most significant funding streams available to schools in England for supporting disadvantaged students. This post explains what Pupil Premium is, how it can be used to fund university guidance and why Already Doing It is an ideal Pupil Premium intervention for sixth form students.
Pupil Premium is additional government funding provided to schools for each eligible student — those who have been eligible for free school meals at any point in the past six years, children in care and children who have left care. Schools receive approximately £1,000 per eligible student per year, ringfenced for interventions that demonstrably improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils.
Schools have flexibility in how they use Pupil Premium funding, provided they can demonstrate it is being used to improve outcomes and close the attainment and outcomes gap between disadvantaged students and their peers.
Making an informed, confident university choice is directly linked to educational and life outcomes for disadvantaged students. Students who choose the wrong degree or the wrong university are more likely to withdraw, more likely to experience financial hardship and less likely to achieve positive graduate outcomes. Pupil Premium funding used to improve the quality of university decision making for eligible students is clearly within the spirit of the programme.
Already Doing It meets the core criteria for effective Pupil Premium use. It is targeted — schools can direct sessions specifically at Pupil Premium eligible students. It is evidenced — pre and post session surveys measure the impact of each session. It generates outcomes data that maps to Gatsby Benchmark compliance. And the cost per student is low relative to the overall Pupil Premium budget — a single session costs £25-30 against a Pupil Premium allocation of approximately £1,000 per student.
Schools running Already Doing It pilots can use Pupil Premium funding to extend the programme beyond the free pilot to additional eligible students. The Impact Report provided at the end of the pilot includes the data schools need to justify continued Pupil Premium investment in the programme.
To discuss funding options and how Already Doing It fits within your Pupil Premium strategy, contact Dan at hello@alreadydoingit.co.uk.
© 2026 Already Doing It Ltd. All rights reserved. The information on this site is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional career or admissions advice. Student Mentor Sessions and Our Insider Guides reflect student perspectives; always verify specific course details, entry requirements, and module lists with the official University Prospectus before applying.
