The School Essentials Grant is available to children and young people:
- eligible for free school meals (eFSM)
- Children Looked After (CLA), (must attend a Swansea school)
- those who are classed as No Resource to Public Funds (NRPF)
- in year groups Reception to Year 11 (as of September 2025)
*Pupils who receive free school meals due to transitional protection or Universal FSM do not qualify for this funding. FSM have to be applied for: Free school meals
Funding available is £125 for each eligible learner with the exception of those in Year 7, who will be entitled to £200.
The grant can be spent on:
- School uniform including coats and shoes;
- School sports kit including footwear;
- IT equipment: laptop and tablets ONLY (school essentials should only be used in limited situations where a school is unable to loan equipment to the family);
- Uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to: scouts; guides; cadets; martial arts; sports; performing arts, or dance;
- Equipment – for example, school bags and stationery;
- Specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin such as design and technology;
- Equipment for out-of-school hours’ trips such as outdoor learning – for example, waterproofs;
- Non-uniform essentials items such as clothing to support access and involvement in residential outdoor education.