ABSTRACT
This chapter explains some of the major difficulties faced in trying to evaluate the impact of the Pupil Premium Policy in England. It presents changes in the nature of Key Stage assessments, including how they are graded, and changes in policy about how benefits like free school meals are distributed. It considers the impact of changes in policy and the economy on the size and nature of the group of pupils identified as disadvantaged, and on the use of private schools. Finally, it shows why these factors matter so much when trying to assess changes in the poverty attainment gap over time.
