school clothing grants

[madonna-fan]

Is it possible to get a school clothing grant for your child if thy are in Primary school.It seems it only applies for Comprehensive schools.

[annie0000]

you can get them through the council in our area - I think it's if you qualify for free school meals. You also used to be able to get shoes through the police I think....not sure if that is still the case, just remember people talking about it.

[cassa333]

Sorry I don't know but you could ask the school if they have second hand stuff you can buy.

Our infants school PTA sells second hand logo stuff for 50p.

You could also pt an advert in the local supermarket. This time of year there will be lots of people getting shot of uniform that no longer fits.

[sara3]

I think you can apply at the start of any school.. at the time of purchasing the first uniform.

[Buenchico]

The grants are discretionary, with each area setting its own rules. You can find out which authority is responsible for your area by entering your postcode here:
http://local.direct.g...school+clothing+costs

When I was teaching in a secondary school, the local authority's policy was that they would only provide a grant towards clothing when it was necessary to purchase a school uniform. (That has some logic behind it, in that they were only funding the EXTRA cost of sending a child to a particular school, rather than funding their general clothing). Our school had no uniform but, by officially declaring that the school's policy was to prefer red and black clothing (even though that statement had no real meaning whatsoever), it meant that qualifying parents could claim the grant towards their children's clothing.

The people who'll know if their are any 'little quirks in the system' like that aren't officials in offices of the local authority. They're the teachers in the child's school. (Even though most English schools are now on holiday, many headteachers will still be at work next week. It might be worth phoning the school,or calling in).

Chris

[brenda]

This may not be helpful but there is an offer on school clothing at Morrisons --- 2 items for a fiver, trousers skirts jumper s and so on and some are double packs.

[sandrajo]

We were discussing school clothing grants today. Primary and Secondary schools qualify for the school grant, it's £70.00 now. My only wish is that the councils would pay the cheque to certain shops who sell school uniforms and accessories rather than make it payable to the parent. Far too many people use the money for other things rather than the uniform and I don't think this is right!!