Evidence from schools suggests that the Coalition Government’s pupil premium programme is having a positive impact on performance. A study of the scheme, which gives schools extra funding for every disadvantaged pupil they take on, has shown that participation in arts or sports can push a pupil’s competence in the three Rs ahead by two months, with school trips seeing a boost of three months. Lib. Dem. Schools minister David Laws told The Independent of an example of a student provided with football kit and coaching that his parents couldn’t afford, and how it saw his attendance and interaction improve.