Consultation with pupils and parents in Dundee schools highlights financial barriers to participation for pupils from low-income households and good practice in overcoming them.
Between 2017 and 2020 the Cost of the School Day team at Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland worked with schools and more than 700 young people in Dundee, to produce findings which supported actions like cheaper uniform suppliers, more inclusive homework policies, greater consistency in lending resources, breakfast provision, free ‘ready to learn’ packs, non-stigmatising approaches to fundraising, trip subsidies, and improved promotion of financial entitlements.
Shining a spotlight on some of the fantastic Cost of the School Day groups who are taking part in the Voice network and doing great work in their school communities around Scotland.
Coatbridge High School in North Lanarkshire ran an all day event focusing on the cost of living, with workshops during the day for pupils and a drop-in Cost of Living Fayre for families after school, which showcased the work of a range of organisations in the area and covered wide spectrum of supports for families.
When CPAG in Scotland and the University of Aberdeen organised a roundtable event at the Scottish Parliament to discuss school uniform affordability and the school clothing grant with MSPs, we knew it was vital to hear directly from young people.
At Wallace High School, better understanding of their catchment area and the challenges faced by families has been key to planning learning and support.
Regular communication about school context and the challenges families are facing can make a big difference to poverty awareness and understanding among school staff.