Cost of the School Day Voice network in Scotland

Cost of the School Day Voice is a network of children and young people in Scotland taking action on school costs and making education more inclusive.

More than 300 schools in Scotland have joined our Cost of the School Day Voice network since it started in August 2023. Young people have been making changes so that everyone can be included and money is never an issue at school.

On this page:

What the Voice network is all about

The Voice network supports pupil groups taking action in their schools to tackle poverty, to ensure that everyone is able to take part in the school day regardless of family income.

To promote change more widely, network members have contributed to a manifesto, attended a Cost of the School Day summit, spoken at the Scottish Parliament, offered their thoughts on government guidance, made films, and launched campaigns in their schools. These are the Voice network highlights from last year.

What can we get involved with? Voice network opportunities

When your school joins the Cost of the School Day Voice network, your group will have access to lots of great opportunities to help grow your understanding and skills. You will learn more about:

  • campaigning
  • awareness raising
  • ways to tackle costs at school
  • opportunities to get your voices heard at a national level

There's always something new happening in the network to get involved with.

How to join

Be part of the Cost of the School Day Voice network

Join our network of school equity groups making big changes in their schools; learning, sharing and inspiring others through their work and ideas.

Sign up

What happens when you sign up

Once you've registered, you'll receive an email with advice on how to get started. We will also:

  • Offer leaders an introductory online meeting to chat through how best we can support your group and answer any questions 
  • Share details on how to join our Teams channel where you can ask questions and find resources 
  • Be in touch by email fortnightly to share updates, news and opportunities
  • Send links and joining instructions to termly online meetings for pupils and leaders

Our Welcome page has lots of useful information and links for new groups.

Network meetings

Joining our online meet ups is a great way to meet other groups and share knowledge. We run meetings for primary groups, secondary groups and for all leaders each term. You'll have the chance to find out more about what's happening in the network and showcase what you're group is doing to challenge poverty.

Voice network meetings

There's lots of great information and ideas from earlier network meetings, take a look at Voice network meeting notes and 'top tips' sheets.

Get busy with loads of great activities

Whether you are starting a new group or you've been going for a while, it's great to have lots to do so there are specially designed Voice network activities for groups to try out. 

Amongst other things, you'll find ideas about how to run school cost surveys and set up focus groups, active ways to get thinking about money and equity, and creative ways to get campaigning.

What's it like being part of the network?

COSD Voice members collage

“It feels amazing cause you know you're making a difference and you inspire other young people and it's nice to know that you have made the difference and you’re potentially helping other people.”

Voice network member

"I have loved having the opportunities for our young people to present nationally on the work they are part of. Hearing from other schools has also been really beneficial to us."

Voice network member

Having young voices heard - research, evidence and policy work

Voice network members have made sure their voices are heard by decision makers and politicians in a number of ways: 

  • 5,394 children and young people around Scotland shared their thoughts on trips, food and what makes them feel ready to learn at school in the Cost of the School Day Big Question.
  • Voice members contributed to the Scottish government’s new school uniform guidance for young people - School uniform and clothing: a resource for pupils
  • Voice network members took part in three online sessions to help inform the future of the Scottish Attainment Challenge and the new Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan. You can find out what was said in this short report.
  • School Shouldn't Cost brings together views from thousands of young people in Scotland about what should happen to remove barriers and make school better for children and young people on low incomes.
  • Last September young people from the Voice network gathered in Glasgow for the Cost of the School Day young people summit to share their experiences, learn new skills and meet with John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister.
First Minister of Scotland and young people at Cost of the School Day summit

Scotland's First Minister with young people attending the Cost of the School Day young people summit

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