Education for all

We all want an education system where all young people can thrive and make the most of their time at school. We hope that they attain good exam grades, explore their passions and interests through trips and clubs, and that they develop lifelong friendships through key milestones such as going to their school prom or leavers event. 

CPAG’s research out this week has shown that for secondary school pupils from lower-income families, this isn’t always the case. It now costs parents of secondary school pupils at minimum £2,274.77 per year to send a child to school. This is an increase of 30 per cent since 2022 and outstrips both inflation and wage increases over the same period. The research shows that it is increasingly difficult for families to afford everything that their children need. Uniforms, transport to and from school, packed lunches, and trips are all bare essentials that children and young people need to thrive at school, but all come with a high price tag for families.

Hidden school costs are also directly impacting the ability of secondary school pupils to learn and take part in lessons. From buying stationery, and revision guides and scientific calculators for exams, to providing ingredients and aprons for design and technology (DT) lessons, being able to learn comes at a cost. With the growing use of online learning platforms and resources, families are also increasingly under pressure to provide devices that their children can use for study at home and at school. The research shows that families are spending at minimum £449.67 per year on learning materials and resources, a hefty price tag for a supposedly free education system. We know that this increasing cost burden is making it harder for children to keep up with their classmates, and means that they sometimes face sanctions at school when they don’t have the right kit or materials. 

‘We didn’t have the right equipment for a DT project so had to buy some, but it was near the end of the month so didn’t have enough so we had to leave it until pay day and then hand the homework late.’ (Parent in England)

With exam season looming and the next cohort of school leavers on the verge of transitioning into adulthood, this research is a timely reminder that time spent at secondary school is a formative part of childhood which sets our young people up for adult life. Going to school equips teenagers with the skills, knowledge and exam results that unlock doors for future study, employment and earnings. It’s also an important time for friendship and relationship building, refining their social skills and understanding about how to communicate with others. The experiences that children and young people have during their time at secondary school cannot be understated, and action must be taken to ensure that children aren’t being left out or left behind because of costs. 

For teens on the cusp of adulthood, urgent action is needed to bring down school costs and tackle child poverty.