“If we do have events that involve a cost then some families will not send children to school on that day. We know from the past that where we have asked for families to buy things (such as pyjamas to wear in school) then it causes some families financial hardship to do that. Therefore we no longer have events that have costs."

Letting parents and carers know what you do

"New parents are told about our philosophy on cost of the school day.  Some parents found the shift in thought tricky but once this was explained to them they understood.”

Dealing with 'dress up' days

“We make sure that events are low or no cost and there are no dress down days or days where children are required to dress up. For Christmas jumpers in December, we allow children to wear a jumper as and when they want to throughout the month. There is not a set day, so that anyone who does not have a jumper does not feel left out. Parents will provide old Christmas jumpers for the school, and some buy multiple Christmas jumpers for the school. A local supermarket also supplied some jumpers. This means that everyone can have a jumper if they want to. We use our PEF money to ensure that everyone can attend the Halloween disco.”

Resources to support you

The Cost of the School Day Calendar is designed to help you plan around the year, and think about cost free ways to celebrate and have fun together.

Find the calendar here