It's entirely up to you which activities you decide to try, and you can do them in whatever order you'd like.
If your school isn't already part of the Cost of the School Day Voice network, and you'd like your young people to get the chance to take part in meetings, events and activities, just sign up to get started.
1. Poster campaigns
An activity to help your group promote support available in your school community.
Design a poster campaign to raise the profile of your group and tell everyone about support available in your school.
![The cost of the school day group from St John Ogilvie High School with posters](/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_600/public/2024-08/ST%20JOHS%20GROUP%20altered.png?itok=ZR5N9-wa)
The Cost of the School Day group at St John Ogilvie High School with the poster campaign they designed
The Cost of the School Day group at St John Ogilvie High School in South Lanarkshire created posters to let the rest of the school know what help was available and encourage pupils to come forward and take what they need.
Poster campaigns.pdf
![a tweet from Auchenharvie Academy group promoting their cost of the school day work](/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_600/public/2024-08/ACTIVITIES%20Auchenharvie%20tweet.png?itok=8UHf0JLv)
Tweet from the Cost of the School Day group at Auchenharvie Academy
2. Getting your message out there using social media
Share information with others in your school, people who have an interest in education and your local community.
Some Cost of the School Day groups have their own social media accounts where they share information about what they’re up to, ask questions to their school communities and raise awareness of support available in school.
Auchenharvie Academy (@AuchenharvieT), Holyrood Secondary School (@HolyroodCOTSD) and Braes High School (@OnandUpBHS and on Instagram at instagram.com/braes_cosd) have all used social media accounts to share information about what they're doing.
Pupils from West Calder High School’s Cost of the School Day group in West Lothian say:
“We promote our events on a regular basis through our social media platforms. This has been a very powerful way of catching the attention of our local MSP as we tag them and then our posts get more attention too. We continue to raise awareness of cost of school day through our weekly snapshots which are sent to all of our families and people within our community.”
Here are a few questions to help you think about how your group might use social media:
- Who do you want to reach? Pupils, parents, school staff? People in your community who can help? Councillors and politicians who need to hear what you have to say?
- Which social media platforms are they likely to be on? X/Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook?
- How will you use your social media account? What will you say and how often?
- Who in your group will post on your account and keep it up to date? What help might you need from your group leader?
- Are there any risks or potential problems that you need to think about before setting up an account?
- Can your Cost of the School Day account link up with your official school or local authority one? Even more people will see what you say if another bigger account reposts it.
Getting your message out on social media.pdf
3. Creating your own costs calendar
Raise awareness of cost issues in your school and promote the help available to families.
As a group, you can have a think about all the different events and days that happen at your school. Which ones mean you need to spend money? As a group, you could help decide which events are most important for your school. Are they well spaced out? How much money is being asked for?
You can make your school costs calendar as colourful and interactive as you like.
Abbey Primary School in South Lanarkshire created their own cost calendar. To get you started, you'll find the Cost of the School Day Calendar below.
Creating your own costs calendar.pdf
4. Take what you need to learn
Making sure that young people have all they need to take part and learn at school.
Lots of schools make sure that the resources people need to learn are available in classrooms or around the school. For instance Holyrood High School has take-what-you-need trolleys in all departments and Kirkintilloch High School has a preparation station. Pupils are encouraged to borrow things like pens, pencils, calculators, study guides and personal items like period products and deodorant.
![A tweet from the Holyrood High School cost of the school day group about their take what you need trolleys](/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_600/public/2024-08/ACTIVITIES%20Holyrood%20tweet_0.png?itok=Lr4Ef5_T)
Tweet from Holyrood High School's Cost of the School Day group about their take-what-you-need trollies
When you're setting up a resource like this, here are a few things to consider:
- What are the most common things people need for school? Can you find out?
- Think about how you can stock a take-what-you-need trolley. Your school might be able to help with funds for this, or you might be able to get donations from local businesses or organisations.
- Where should your trolley be? Where can you put it so that all pupils can access it?
- Who is in charge of making sure the trolley is stocked up? Is this something your group can do?
Take what you need to learn.pdf
5. Reviewing uniform policies
Be part of policy decisions in your school and ensure that young people's voices are heard in important discussions.
Uniform costs can put pressure on family budgets. Your group can work with pupils and parents to help review your current uniform policy and make sure it’s affordable for everyone
Keith Grammar in Moray took a whole-school approach to reviewing their uniform policy, and came up with a simple and affordable policy together.
Some things to think about:
- What do you currently need to wear to school?
- How much does it cost to get fully kitted out for school? You can look online at your uniform suppliers to help add up the total cost.
- Are there certain items of uniform that only some years need to buy? Is this difficult for some people to afford? Can you find out?
- How many items of uniform must have a school logo on it? Are there things we can do make this more affordable?
Reviewing uniform policies.pdf
6. Fundraising and fun events
Ensure that your group is involved in making important decisions at your school.
Lots of schools are looking at how they ask for and collect money for fundraising and fun days.
![Newton Primary School learners showing their free fun activities at the Christmas fayre](/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_600/public/2024-08/ACTIVITY%20Newton%20Primary%20fun%203.jpg?itok=LTnbWNoR)
Newton Primary learners set up their free Christmas fayre activity
At Newton Primary in South Ayrshire pupils came up with fun and free activities at their Christmas Fayre.
Pupil fundraising committees can make sure these days don’t put pressure on families, making sure there are no set donation amounts and operating a ‘chuck it in a bucket’ approach where money collections are in central areas of the school and young people can discreetly provide a donation without worry.
What could your group do to make charity and fun days more affordable?
Fundraising and fun events.pdf
Take part
If your school isn't already part of the Cost of the School Day Voice network, and you'd like your young people to get the chance to take part in meetings, events and activities, just sign up here.