School Essentials Grant
The Welsh Government School Essentials Grant helps to fund a child’s school uniform and equipment, plus items for outside school activities, where families are on low incomes. The scheme for the 2024/25 academic year opened on 1 July 2024 and will close on 31 May 2025.
The grant provides assistance to families on low incomes for the purchase of:
- School uniform including coats and shoes
- School sports kit including footwear
- Uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to, scouts; guides; cadets; martial arts; sports; performing arts or dance
- Equipment e.g. school bags and stationary
- Specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin such as design and technology
- Laptops or tablets
- Equipment for out of school hour’s trips such as outdoor learning e.g. waterproofs.
Who is eligible?
Families with children in reception to year 11 on lower incomes and get certain benefits can apply for:
- £125 per learner and extra funding for your school
- £200 for learners entering year 7 (to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school) and extra funding for your school
Parents and carers can claim once per child per school year.
Receiving Universal Primary Free School Meals does not automatically entitle your child to the School Essentials Grant:
- Learners must be eligible for means-tested Free School Meals (eFSM)
- Learners who receive free school meals due to transitional protection arrangements do not qualify
- All children in local authority care qualify for the grant.
The Welsh Government also encourage local authorities to use their discretion to provide the grant to children whose parents or carers are not entitled to public funds.
For further information on eligibility or the application process, please contact Newport City Council.
If you are unable to complete an application online, A paper form can be downloaded. Paper forms are also available via freeschoolmeals@newport.gov.uk or contact 01633 656656.
If you have any queries relating to the eligibility of Free School Meals or the School Essentials Grant please email:
freeschoolmeals@newport.gov.uk or telephone 01633 851579
Please contact Llanwern High School directly if you have any queries regarding the receipt of Free School Meals under the universal primary free school meal scheme.