Attending school – even state school – isn’t free. There are a number of financial implications and even barriers to learning that some children and young people face every day at school, including issues that can create poverty-related stigma.
By investigating the cost of the school day with pupils, parents and staff schools can start to identify and address these barriers. By taking this action your school can begin to:
- Ensure there is equal access to opportunities at school for all children and young people
- Minimise opportunities for stigma and exclusion related to income
- Relieve financial pressures on family budgets
- Support families to access financial entitlements
- Support pupil and family well-being
- Help to improve learning and attainment
Remember - costs will likely vary depending on the age and stage of students.
Getting started
- Speak to your SLT about working out the cost of the school day by using the headings below. You should aim to work through the topics with colleagues, considering how you can include the views of students and families in an understanding way.
- Find out the views of parents, carers and wider school staff, for instance through a survey, to better understand their concerns and issues. Every school is different and your local area will impact upon what cost pressures your community is facing.
- Include children in your planning so they feel heard, and to start breaking down the stigma felt by those growing up in poverty. Follow our advice about the best way to start conversations about this issue with children and young people.
Get started by using this list of items that cost families money, thinking about how much each item might cost and if there are any cheaper or free alternatives available locally:
Uniform
- Recommended school uniform
- PE kit
- Shoes
- Coats/jackets
- Schoolbag
Learning
- Stationery and equipment eg calculators, folders etc
- Subject costs eg Food tech, Art and design etc
- Study materials eg text books, past papers etc
School trips
- Day trips related to curriculum
- Residential trips
- Equipment for residential trips
Eating at school
- Breakfast club
- Snacks
- Lunch
School clubs
- Entry fees
- Equipment
- Clothes/kit
- Transport
Events
- Social events-prom, disco’s, leavers dances
- Seasonal events eg Christmas, Halloween, easter etc
- Fundraising days
- School photographs
- Special days such as World Book day
Home learning
- Computer access and wifi
- Craft materials
- Books and other study materials
