Sacred Heart Primary School

Poverty Proofing the School Day

At our school, we are committed to making sure every student can fully take part in school life, regardless of their family’s financial situation. Poverty proofing the school day means identifying and removing barriers that may prevent some students from accessing the same opportunities as others.

The effects of child poverty should not be underestimated. Experiencing child poverty can undermine the health, wellbeing and educational attainment of children.’ (Child Poverty Action Group)

Our Aim:

• Relieve the pressures families may face due to the Cost of the School Day.

• Ensure that there are no barriers to learning caused by financial issues and that every child has         equal access to opportunities at school.

• Demonstrate the approaches taken to minimise poverty stigma.

• Promote the assistance we can provide to families to help them access financial support beyond the   school day.

How do we reduce the ‘cost of the school day’?

We are aware that, at times, families within our community may require help or advice linked to financial issues. These issues may also have an impact on a family’s health and wellbeing and it is our aim to provide support if we are able to. By working together, our community can get it right for every family. Details are provided below regarding measures we have in place to support our families:

Working in Partnership

• We aim to work in partnership with our families and we ensure that they know they are able to contact us confidentially if they require any support; family support officer and pastoral team.

• We are continually establishing links with local community groups, charities, organisations and businesses who can support families in need.

• We provide parents with contact details for organisations who may be able to offer support or we will make contact on their behalf.

• We support parents in completing application forms, if required.

Food and Snacks

• We encourage parents to apply for free school meals and support them with this process.

• Fruit is available for any child who complains of feeling hungry or who may not have a snack.

• We provide water bottles for those children who may not be able to bring one from home.

• We promote school lunches so that children may have nutritious meals at little or no cost.

• Healthy snacks are available in school for children who do not bring one with them.

• We make food hampers available to parents to ensure that families have supplies if required. 

Clothing

• At the end of the school year, we ask parents to donate good quality school uniforms, shoes, coats and school bags that we launder and clean for their new owners.

• We positively promote the wearing of the school uniform to create a school identity. In addition, this helps prevent competition among pupils for the latest designer clothing/footwear.

• If a child regularly comes into school without uniform, we can provide uniform items and PE kit.

Christmas

• We ask for donations from parents, local businesses and charities of food, clothing and toys so that we can provide Christmas hampers for families.

• We ask identified families for details of the types of toys their children would like.

In the Classroom

• We provide stationary and other essentials in the classroom which all children use throughout the day.

• Pupils are not asked to write and focus on what they have done in the holidays, at weekends or out of school as this can be problematic for pupils living in poverty who may not have had as many experiences or opportunities as their peers.

Out of School Learning

• Staff bear in mind that not all children have access to resources such as arts and crafts when setting home learning tasks and will ensure that all children are given, or offered, the resources they need to complete a task.

• All after school clubs are free and children who are vulnerable are encouraged to join and be part of the clubs. 

School Trips and Activities

• We always give parents and carers as much notice as we can of activities and trips to allow time to save and pay.

• We always liaise with families who may be facing difficulties and agree a payment plan which may exceed the date of the activity/event

• We never read out the names of children who have not paid, if necessary, the office will communicate directly with parents.

• Residential trips are available to all of our children. We aim to give parents approximately 12 months to pay in order to help spread the cost. In addition, we look at any requests for financial help to support families and ensure that all pupils have access to all opportunities.