5,394 children and young people around Scotland took part in the Cost of the School Day Big Question, sharing their thoughts on school trips, food, what helps them feel ready to learn and their ideas about what should change. Their insights have been put together in this report and film.
These activities can help your group to start conversations, consider what impact poverty and costs can have on school life and think about what action you're going to take. Asking everyone about costs at your school is a great thing to do to alongside raising awareness.
Poverty stops children and young people from achieving their potential at school. We need to invest in social security to solve this, but schools also have a vital role to play.
The Giffnock Primary Parent Equalities Group, East Renfrewshire has been consulting with the school community on cost barriers and recently set up a pre-loved uniform shop for its families.
Auchenharvie Academy in North Ayrshire runs a six week Parents in Partnership (PIP) programme where parents and carers of S1 pupils come ‘back to school’, following a first-year timetable to experience a school day and build relationships with peers and teachers.
In these case studies we explore how can make a understanding poverty in your catchment area can make a big difference for school staff. We find out how three schools raise awareness amongst their staff.
All schools in South Lanarkshire have a Cost of the School Day Position Statement and work hard to limit costs wherever possible. The team describe what their current priorities are.
