- Education Secretary praises innovative approach
Pupils and staff at Braes High School in Falkirk have been
highlighting their innovate approaches to help cut the cost of
the school day for families, as part of Challenge Poverty Week.
Cost-saving initiatives include the creation of ‘Take What You
Need’ trolleys with essential school items, toiletries and
snacks. S1 pupils also receive a Braes Backpack which
contains a school starter kit.
The school has received more than £369,000 of Scottish Government
Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) in recent years, supporting a range of
work including these latest initiatives.
Scotland has the most generous universal free school meal offer
of any nation in the UK – saving families an average of £400 per
eligible child per year – while the School Clothing Grant has
been increased so that those who are eligible receive at least
£120 per child of primary school age and £150 per secondary
pupil.
The 2023-24 Programme for Government set out commitments to
further support reductions in the cost of the school day by
funding the removal of core curriculum charges, further expanding
free school meals and increasing the school clothing grant for
the next academic year.
On a visit to the school, the Education Secretary said:
“It was hugely encouraging to visit Braes High School during
Challenge Poverty Week and to witness the innovative approaches
pupils and staff have adopted to deal with the challenges that,
sadly, too many of our young people and their families are
facing.
“This work has been supported by the Scottish Government’s Pupil
Equity Funding scheme – with more than £520 million this
parliamentary term empowering headteachers to take creative and
innovative approaches to tackle the poverty-related attainment
gap.
“We are determined to do everything in our power to support
families out of poverty, including investing in the game-changing
Scottish Child Payment – part of a package of measures taken by
this government which will help lift 90,000 children out of
poverty in Scotland this year.
"We know that many families are still struggling, particularly as
a result of the cost of living crisis. Tackling the cost of the
school day is a key priority for the Scottish Government."
Sara Spencer, Cost of the School Day Project Manager at Child
Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland:
“We have been delighted to work with Braes High School and their
Cost of the School Day Pupil Group and see all of the meaningful
ways young people have involved their school community and
designed supports that help to make sure everyone can take part
and feel included.
“Cost of the School Day at Braes is an inspiring example of what
can happen when young people take the lead on equity in their own
schools and a reminder of the impact that a poverty aware school
culture and a clear focus on reducing the cost of the school day
can have.”
Braes HS Head teacher Iain Livingstone said:
“Our young people, staff, parents/carers and the wider community
work well together to challenge poverty and support all learners.
Pupil Equity Funding has helped us take forward a number of
projects and support to help our young people get the most out of
their education.
“We enjoyed being able to speak with the Cabinet Secretary, and
seeing our young people discuss the many developments and
ideas they lead.”
Background
Braes High School worked with the Child Poverty Action Group to
develop these initiatives. They are part of the new Cost of the
School Day Voice network of children and young people.
Schools in Falkirk Council have received more than £26 million
from the Scottish Government between 2015-16 and 2022-23 to close
the poverty related attainment gap
