School Shouldn't Cost: Young People's Poverty and Education Manifesto 2026-31 is full of what children and young people have said should happen to remove barriers and make school better for people living on low incomes.
To help share these calls before the Scottish Parliament election, Voice network members met with the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and held a special School Shouldn't Cost reception at Parliament. We know that lots of you got in touch with politicians and candidates in your area to tell them about School Shouldn't Cost too.
In the coming months there will be lots of new and returning MSPs at the Scottish Parliament, and opportunities for Voice network members to carry on influencing policy by speaking to them. There will be more details about this to come very soon but in the meantime get in touch at [email protected] if this is something you would like to be involved in.
We’re looking for pupils to join an exciting project in the next school year, to create a fun, practical “How To” resource for young people and teachers to use in schools across Scotland.
Lots of amazing pupil groups are already leading anti-poverty work in their schools, and this 'How to' will share their experience, to encourage even more schools to get involved and take action. This 'How to' might include: the best ways to set up a Cost of the School Day group, what support pupils need from the adults around them and top tips to carry out this work.
Young people will be:
Sessions will be a mixture of online meetings, and some in person planning with full support from us to help your young people take part. Any travel costs will be covered and there will be thank you vouchers and a certificate for the young people who get involved.
Whether learners in your group like to come up with ideas, work with others, create designs, or speak up, we'd love to hear from them. Email us at [email protected]
Each term we run meetings for primary and secondary pupils and network leaders. The dates for meetings this term are:
Primary meeting: Tuesday 9 June 9:30am - 10am
Secondary meeting: Wednesday 10 June 9:30am - 10:30am
Voice leaders meeting: Wednesday 17 June 4pm - 4:45pm
If you'd like to come along, email Kirsty at [email protected] for a meeting link. You can take a look at notes from previous meetings, which include top tips from schools, advice from leaders and children and young people's ideas.
Lily and Penny tell the audience what their school does to reduce the cost of the school day.
Lily and Penny from Boclair Academy co-delivered a poverty stigma workshop at the Children in Scotland conference with us.
Bannockburn pupils asking politicians what they plan to do about child poverty
“Speak Up!” on Child Poverty Hustings was an opportunity for young people to directly question politicians on child poverty in the run up to the Scottish elections in May. Find out what happened.
Voice network members and Jenny Gilruth, the Cabinet Secretary for Education at the Scottish Parliament
Young people from the Cost of the School Day Voice network held a special event at the Scottish Parliament, to share vital calls from their School Shouldn’t Cost: The Young People’s Poverty and Education Manifesto 2026-31 to MSPs.
School Shouldn't Cost: Young People's Poverty and Education Manifesto 2026-31
School Shouldn't Cost: Young People's Poverty and Education Manifesto 2025-31 sets out what thousands of young people across Scotland say should happen to reduce the impact of poverty in their schools.
Voice network members at Bute House meeting the First Minister for Scotland
Young people from the Voice network met with the First Minister, John Swinney, and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth to discuss how the government can help further reduce the impact of poverty in Scotland’s schools.
Find out what happened at the Cost of the School Day summit
Eighty young people from the Cost of the School Day Voice network gathered to share their experiences, learn new skills and meet with John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister. Find out what happened here.
Play Holly's interview with the Cabinet Secretary for Education
In March the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, visited Boghall Primary School to meet Cost of the School Day pupil groups from several schools and answer questions on the findings of The Big Question.
Play this Big Question summary film, made by Voice network members
Voice network members shared their views in the Big Question, and collaborated on a film to promote the findings to the whole network.
Listen to children: Skye in the Big Question report film
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.
Comments from Voice network members who took part in guidance consultation
Voice members contributed to the Scottish government’s new school uniform guidance for young people - School uniform and clothing: a resource for pupils
Liam from Trinity High School at the pre-election event
Liam from Trinity High School took part in a pre-election event, and questioned politicians on what they would do to make tackling poverty at school more consistent.
Voice network members at the Universal Free School Meals roundtable with the Cabinet Secretary for Education
Young people attended and spoke at two round table discussions at the Scottish Parliament, one about the cost of school uniforms, and the other about free school meals.
First meeting of the Voice network primary schools
Lots of Voice network members have taken part in big meet ups during the year, where everyone had the chance to learn more from each other and take part in online activities and games
Voice network members have also: shared pupil-led Cost of the School Day work with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills during Challenge Poverty Week; launched awareness campaigns; created cost calendars; taken on consultations with parents and carers; run social media campaigns; set up uniform banks and take-what-you-need trollies... and so many other really amazing things to make sure their schools are more equal for everyone.
We would really like to hear from you - email Kirsty at [email protected]
