Help with Uniform Costs for Eligible Families

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 | GOV.WALES

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,

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 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 the Welsh Language Anna Brychan, said: “During August many families will be purchasing uniforms and other school supplies, I want to encourage them to check if they are entitled to access the School Essentials Grant, which can help with costs.

Last year over 86,000 children and young people were supported by the School Essentials Grant. Families do need to apply for it, to ensure they receive the one-off payment for this school year.”