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<p>The conditions of grant for the pupil premium make clear that its purpose is to
raise the attainment of disadvantaged pupils. School leaders are best placed to decide
how to spend the pupil premium in line with this policy and the needs of their pupils.
Schools are not prevented from using the pupil premium to fund capital projects or
from carrying over funding between years.</p><p>The Department for Education supports
schools to make evidence-based decisions through the work of the Education Endowment
Foundation, established to identify and promote effective practice in raising the
attainment of disadvantaged pupils. The Department does not monitor how Academies
and maintained schools spend the pupil premium but instead holds them to account for
the outcomes of eligible pupils through the publication of data in performance tables
and Ofsted inspection.</p><p>Where concerns are raised about the performance of an
academy then they are addressed by the Regional School Commissioner with responsibility
for that area. The Department also takes seriously any concerns about the financial
management of a school. We are aware of the findings of the Ofsted report on Audenshaw
School relating to its use of the pupil premium, following an inspection in February
2016. We are also aware that the Hon. Member, Andrew Gwynne, has met the Regional
Schools Commissioner for Lancashire and West Yorkshire, Vicky Beer, on a number of
occasions to discuss his concerns about Audenshaw School Academy Trust. The Department
has carefully reviewed all the information provided on this matter and has identified
no grounds to take further action.</p>
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