Families in Wales may now be eligible to claim up to £200 for school essentials to help alleviate the financial strain associated with the start of the school year. The School Essentials Grant, offered by the Welsh Government, aims to support families on a low income with children attending maintained primary or secondary schools. This financial aid can be used to purchase necessities such as uniforms, stationery, school bags, and sports equipment.
To access the School Essentials Grant, parents and carers are encouraged to check if their child qualifies for assistance. Eligible families may include those on lower incomes receiving specific benefits, individuals seeking asylum, and children in care. The grant provides £125 per child per year for school costs in primary and secondary school. Additionally, for children entering year 7, an increased amount of £200 is available to help cover the additional expenses associated with starting secondary school.
Applications for the School Essentials Grant must be made through the local authority, with submissions accepted annually for each child. To qualify, children must be in care, seeking asylum, or have a parent or carer who receives one or more of the specified benefits. The grant aims to ensure equitable access to educational essentials and opportunities for all eligible learners.
In addition to individual support, schools or settings will also receive extra funding, such as through the Pupil Development Grant (PDG), to enhance learning and wellbeing initiatives for learners from lower income households. This funding is applicable to eligible learners across various educational institutions, including special schools and pupil referral units.
David Williams, headteacher of Parc Primary School in Treorchy, highlighted the positive impact of the PDG on supporting vulnerable families and low-income households within the school community. The application window for the 2024 to 2025 grant is currently open and will close on May 31, 2025. Families are encouraged to determine their child’s eligibility and submit a claim promptly to access the available financial support for school essentials.