DfE continues to improve its evidence base for what works, but the rationale for certain funding decisions, in particular increasing core funding, does not always follow the evidence. The Department has assessed its evidence base for pupil premium effectively supporting the attainment of disadvantaged children as relatively strong compared to 3 other interventions. However, over the period 2018–19 to 2023–24 this funding has not risen in line with inflation, decreasing by 3% in real terms with a 9% real–terms reduction in per–pupil funding. By contrast, evidence is less strong on the impact of the disadvantage and deprivation related funding provided through the National Funding Formula (the core funding)– but the Department has increased it by 10% in real terms over the same period. The Department ‘s rationale for these decisions is not clear. The Department accepts it needs to develop its evidence base for interventions beyond pupil premium, to help support its decisions on where to target funding to best effect. recommendation Whilst continuing to build an understanding of what works, DfE should re–assess the evidence base for funding decisions and, as part of this, set out its funding priorities for 2025–26, including where pupil premium falls within this.