🎸 Using Pupil Premium to Fund Band Lessons: Why It Works

At SoMi Academy, we believe every child deserves a creative outlet that builds confidence, fosters teamwork, and inspires learning. That’s why our small-group band lessons have become a powerful tool for supporting disadvantaged pupils—and an excellent use of Pupil Premium funding.

But don’t just take our word for it. Let’s look at how our approach aligns with national guidance and best practice from the Department for Education (DfE), the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), and Ofsted.

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🎯 Targeted Support that Makes a Difference

The DfE and EEF’s recommended “menu of approaches” for Pupil Premium spending centres around three pillars:

1. High-quality teaching

2. Targeted academic support

3. Wider opportunities for enrichment

SoMi’s band lessons hit all three.

• Each session is led by experienced, specialist music tutors.

• Lessons are structured for small groups, allowing individualised attention.

• Pupils gain practical music skills, but also benefit from improved listening, memory, and collaboration—skills that carry over into the classroom.

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🎵 Cultural Enrichment That Closes the Gap

It’s widely recognised that access to arts and culture is often limited for disadvantaged children. A New Direction highlights how cultural education supports pupil wellbeing, builds vocabulary, and enhances engagement.

By offering regular opportunities to:

• Play in bands,

• Explore diverse genres, and

• Perform for real audiences,

SoMi gives pupils the cultural capital that’s so often missing—and crucial for long-term success.

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📈 Evidence-Based, Ofsted-Approved

Ofsted reports that schools using their Pupil Premium for arts-based programmes often show:

• Higher pupil engagement,

• Improved confidence,

• Stronger school attendance.

But the key is measuring impact.

SoMi supports schools with:

• Mapping musical attainment,

• Attendance tracking,

• Pupil surveys on confidence and motivation,

• Evidence of cross-curricular gains (like improved literacy through song lyrics and lyric-writing).

All of this helps schools demonstrate that the funding is being used effectively—and with purpose.

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🧑‍🎓 Putting Disadvantaged Pupils First

Effective use of the Pupil Premium means targeting the pupils who need it most. SoMi works with schools to identify priority pupils, ensuring that:

• Those in receipt of Free School Meals (FSM),

• Children in care, and

• Other disadvantaged learners

…are offered a place in our band programme as a priority.

It’s an inclusive, aspirational model—and it works.

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✅ In Summary: Why SoMi Band Lessons Are a Smart Spend

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📚 How SoMi work with schools

It’s easy to get started with SoMi band lessons – simply book in your free interactive music assembly and watch the SoMi team inspire pupils to learn and perform with their peers.

Schools can choose to offer a flat-subsidy to all eligible pupil premium children, or make targeted interventions to fully-fund specific children. Either way – registration and parent communications are handled by SoMi and schools are billed via a single annual invoice, which varies depending on service level.

If you’re a headteacher or school leader looking to make meaningful use of your Pupil Premium, SoMi’s band lessons provide more than music – they build momentum for learning.

Let’s talk about bringing SoMi to your school.

 

📖 References & Read More

Ofsted – The Pupil Premium
A New Direction – Using Pupil Premium to enrich cultural education
The National College – An expert overview of Pupil Premium
Headteacher Update – Pupil Premium: Evidence & Impact