Cost of the School Day Big Question report and film

The Cost of the School Day Big Question report includes children and young people's views on school costs and their ideas about what should change, in their own words. 

You can also view this film in four shorter sections - what makes us ready to learn, food at school, school trips and your big ideas.

Now that we've heard from children and young people, what's next? 

Based on what young people have told us, we are calling on the Scottish government to keep their commitments to greater support for trips, food and devices at school. We ask local authorities, schools and education bodies to listen to what young people have said in the Big Question and take action to reduce the cost of the school day.

Put systems in place so that everyone is included no matter how much money they have. (Secondary learner)

Key points from the Big Question  

Many factors help young people feel ready to learn at school. Some are related to needs at home, and others to school culture, learning and teaching, opportunities to participate and access to resources and food. Young people say that costs for food, uniform, travel, resources, devices and trips really matter when they are unaffordable. 

Many factors supporting readiness to learn are influenced by family income. This puts young people from low-income households at risk of not having what they need to be able to learn and being unable to gain vital experiences.

Food

• 97% of young people say food is very or quite important in feeling ready to learn. Hunger has a serious impact on learning and health, and leaves them feeling embarrassed and left out.
• Food support is provided in many schools, but this varies. 
• Young people identified opportunities for more consistent national support. 89% of Primary children say the government commitment to P1-P7 Universal Free School Meals is very or quite important, and secondary pupils are also strongly in favour of universal provision.

School trips

• School trips offer valuable new experiences, fun and learning. They help young people fit in and feel included at school. For some, trips are opportunities not readily available at home.
• 48% of primary children say they didn’t think or weren’t sure everyone in their school would be able to attend a big trip like the P7 residential. Support with trips varies and many young people are unaware of what help is available.
• Young people's calls for national trip support include funding to help schools run trips equitably and avoid embarrassment, worry and exclusion

Cost of the School Day Big ideas

Young people have lots of big ideas about what will make their schools more equitable and inclusive, which include non-stigmatising support, school funding to reduce costs, and good communication around the help available. 

Learn more about what children and young people's big ideas, what they think about food, trips, and readiness to learn in the full report.

Thank you

Thank you to all the children and young people who answered the Big Question and all the teachers who supported them. Thank you to young people from Boghall Primary, Auchenharvie Academy and Holyrood Secondary who presented the Big Question film and to Linlithgow Primary and Holyrood Secondary for their fantastic artwork.