Parents urged to apply for school clothing grants

Parents of children heading back to school are being urged to make sure they apply for school clothing grants.

Renfrewshire pupils are now entitled to £100 school clothing grant if they meet the criteria.

Clothing grant applications can be made whether parents have already bought their school uniform or have yet to buy one.

Parents who have received a clothing grant in the past won’t need to do anything and will automatically receive £100 per eligible child for the 2018/19 school term.

Anyone who has never applied for a school clothing grant, can visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/schools and download a clothing grant application under the Information for Parents section.

Education and Children’s Services Convener for Renfrewshire Council, Councillor Jim Paterson, welcomed the increase in the grant. He said: “Ensuring parents have the right resources to send their child to school is vital. Now that the school clothing grant has been increased to £100 per eligible child, this will help many parents as they prepare to send their child to school.

“We also offer parents on low incomes support through the Cost of the School Day fund, which is available through each child’s school. Speak to your headteacher to find out more about accessing this fund.”

Checklist

Parents are also advised to:

• apply for free school meals (if child is in P4 and upwards)
• apply for transport (if more than one mile from primary school or two miles from secondary school)
• encourage teenagers aged 16 and above to apply for Education Maintenance Allowance if they are staying on at school
• ask their school about breakfast clubs
• seek further information from the school’s handbook or website
• sign-up for the schools and nurseries e-alerts at www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/e-alerts