WITH one school year coming to an end and another starting in the coming months, parents and carers are reminded to check their eligibility for the School Essentials Grant Fund which offers support for key items such as school uniform.
The Welsh Government grant is open to all compulsory school year groups from Reception to Year 11 and each eligible learner will be entitled to a grant of £125. However, pupils in Year 7 will receive £200 due to the increased costs of starting secondary school.
The grant can be used to pay for:
· school uniforms and footwear
· sports equipment and kit
· school activities, including musical lessons, school trips and after school clubs
· classroom essentials, including pens, pencils and school bags; and
· laptop or tablet if you cannot loan it from the school
A full eligibility criteria is available on the council’s website and families are entitled to claim once per child, per school year. The 2024 to 2025 scheme is now open and will close on 31 May 2025.
Cllr Martyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Services, said: “I would like to encourage all eligible families to apply for this grant and it’s great that this support can be used for such a wide range of essential items.
“It’s really important that no learners are disadvantaged due to financial reasons and grants such as this will offer a boost to many young people right across the county borough.
“It’s also worth noting that this scheme is not just open ahead of the school year but until the end of May 2025.”
To apply for the School Essentials Grant, please visit the council’s website.
