Help with School Uniform Costs for Struggling Families

More than 1,000 families in South Tyneside whose children are starting or moving schools are to receive extra financial help towards the cost of school uniform.

South Tyneside Council is to give supermarket vouchers to families in receipt of free school meals whose children will join Reception, start secondary school in Year 7 or will move into junior school at Year 3 from an infant school.

The vouchers are worth £40 for children moving into reception or are moving into Year 3 at a junior school and £70 for those starting secondary school.

The move is further evidence that the Council is targeting support to make things fairer.

In addition, every school will be given a payment of £600 to help support families who aren't eligible for free school meals with the costs of school uniform.

Councillor Jane Carter, Lead Member for Education and Skills, said: "We recognise that school uniform is a significant expense, particularly for those families who have children starting or moving schools.

"As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, we hope this will provide some much-needed relief."

She added: "We know that schools do great work to provide and recycle uniforms and this is not meant to replace that. This is simply about helping families meet these additional costs in these incredibly challenging times and is part of the Council and wider partnership's approach to reducing poverty in the borough."

Mrs Caroline Marshall, headteacher at Marsden Primary School, said: "The vouchers our families receive from South Tyneside Council are so important. Summer Holidays are an expensive time for everyone, time away from school means extra food bills and energy bills at an already difficult time. Alongside this, the expense of uniform can be something that families struggle with.

"We value the vouchers that we can give to families who meet the criteria, however this year, the extra £600 will allow us to allocate money to those high risk families who are struggling or just need an extra boost to allow them to make the purchases they need ready for September."