Pupils: Disadvantaged

(asked on 29th October 2014) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to assist those who cannot afford non-core costs associated with state education.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Nash
This question was answered on 10th November 2014

The Department for Education recognises that meeting the incidental costs of state education can be a challenge for some low-income families. We already have a range of policies in place to help ensure that all children benefit from a good education, regardless of their background, and to support low-income families with the non-core costs of education.

The additional funding provided to schools through the pupil premium is helping schools to transform the way they educate disadvantaged children. Schools are made accountable for this additional funding, worth £2.5 billion this year and protected in real terms next year, through performance tables and Ofsted inspection. A recent Ofsted report showed that this policy is working, and schools are using the funding more effectively than ever before.

In addition, the Department has invested £340 million to support cultural education and announced an additional £18 million funding boost for music education, giving thousands more disadvantaged pupils access to instruments.

The Department issues very clear guidance to schools which seeks to minimise the impact of school uniform costs and emphasises the need for schools to consider the cost and availability of uniform when setting their policy. Individual local authorities and academies may choose to provide grants to help with the cost of school clothing in cases of financial hardship, and we would also encourage individual schools to consider running their own schemes.

The Department has also published advice on charging for school activities to support schools in fulfilling their statutory duties in relation to charging and remission for school activities and school visits. This guidance advises schools to make it clear to parents that there is no obligation to make any contribution. As ever, schools have the discretion to use their additional funds to help with the cost of visits and activities for pupils whose families cannot afford it.

Finally, from 1 September the Government has expanded free school meals to all children in reception, year 1 and year 2. As a result, up to 100,000 more poor children are benefiting from a healthy and nutritious meal every day, saving low-income families around £400 per year per child.

We know that education is the key to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. As a Government, we are committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of background, benefit from an education which allows them to achieve their full potential.

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