Applications for School Essential Grant 2025/2026 will open on 01/07/2025 and will close on 31/05/2026. Applications will be available online.
The School Essentials Grant is available to children and young people eligible for free school meals (eFSM), Looked After Children (LAC), and those who are classed as No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) in year groups Reception to Year 11.
Funding of £125 is available for each eligible learner with the exception of those in Year 7 who will be entitled to £200.
The School Essentials Grant can help cover the costs of:
- school uniform, including coats and shoes
- school activities, including learning a musical instrument, sports kit and other equipment for after school activities
- classroom essentials, including pens, pencils and school bags
- specialist equipment for new curriculum activities such as design and technology
- IT equipment: laptops and tablets only (School Essentials should only be used in limited situations where a school is unable to loan equipment to the family)
- equipment for out-of-school hours trips such as outdoor learning (for example, waterproofs)
- non-uniform essential items such as clothing to support access and involvement in residential outdoor education
- uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to: scouts, guides, cadets, martial arts, sports, performing arts, or dance
Eligibility
You can apply for the School Essentials Grant if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit – As long as your annual income is £16,190 or less before tax and you don’t receive Working Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit – Your household earnings must be less than £7,400 a year after tax. This does not include any income from benefits
- Help under Immigration and Asylum Seekers Act 1999
You may be eligible if you have no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
Pupils who receive free school meals due to transitional protection or Universal FSM do not qualify for this funding.
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