Families could be eligible for between £125 to £200 per learner for support with school uniform costs, classroom essentials like pens and bags and to help pay for clothing for enrichment activities.
The School Essentials Grant is open now and supports families with children in reception to year 11 on lower incomes and who get certain benefits.
The grant provides £125 per learner and £200 for learners entering year 7 to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school.
Families can check their eligibility and apply through their local authority where their child goes to school, further details can be found at 'get help with school costs'.
As well as providing direct support to families, every successful application helps ensure schools receive the full funding available to support learners from lower-income households.
Parents and carers can claim once per child per school year. Alongside school uniform costs, The School Essentials Grant can help with:
- school activities, including learning a musical instrument, sports kit and other equipment for after school activities
- classroom essentials, including pens, pencils and school bags
- specialist equipment for new curriculum activities such as design and technology
- IT equipment: laptops and tablets only (School Essentials should only be used in limited situations where a school is unable to loan equipment to the family)
- equipment for out-of-school hours trips such as outdoor learning (for example, waterproofs)
- non-uniform essential items such as clothing to support access and involvement in residential outdoor education
- uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to: scouts, guides, cadets, martial arts, sports, performing arts, or dance
Minister for Education and Welsh Language Anna Brychan, said:
We know the cost of living is having a real impact on families and a clear commitment of this new Welsh Government is to support families, from extending funded childcare, introducing Cynnal child payment pilot and recently announcing the extension of free school meals for those in receipt of universal credit, our ambition is to ensure we give children the best start in life.
The School Essentials Grant helps with school costs, it is important that those eligible sign up in order to receive the one-off payment and additional funding for their school.
