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.
So far Voice network members have met with the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and held a special School Shouldn't Cost reception at Parliament to share the calls. We want your help to share them with all politicians running in the Scottish elections - you'll find suggestions, letter templates and useful pointers about how your school can get involved here.
“Speak Up!” on Child Poverty Hustings is an opportunity for young people to directly question politicians on child poverty in the run up to the Scottish elections in May.
The hustings is taking place in late April in Glasgow (full details TBC). It would be great to have range of schools and age groups from the Voice network represented, and we can offer support with travel costs. If your school can’t make it to Glasgow to take part, you can submit questions for politicians to be asked on the day. Please email [email protected], if your group is interested in coming along or if would like to submit questions or find out more.
Would your group be interested in helping to develop and deliver a workshop about poverty stigma for the Children in Scotland conference in May? We would really like to hear from you if your group has a passion for tackling poverty stigma. We will be holding two online meetings to develop this workshop, with the option of coming along to help deliver it at the conference in the middle of May. If this sounds interesting, get in touch: kcampbell@cpagscotland
Each term we run meetings for primary and secondary pupils and network leaders.
So far this year we have already run online meetings for Primary and Secondary groups, and the termly leaders meeting. Dates for future meetings will be coming soon.
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.
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]
