School Essentials Grant

Get help with school costs

This grant provides £125 (except for year 7, which is £200) to buy school uniform, equipment, sports kit, and kit for activities outside of school for your child.

The scheme for the 2025/26 academic year will begin on 1 July 2025 and end on 31 May 2026.

This grant applies to all eligible pupils of compulsory year groups (Reception – Year 11), Looked After Children, and those who are classed as No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).

Learners currently eligible for free school meals can receive this grant if they are:

• Entering reception, year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in primary school in September 2025
• Entering year 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 in secondary school in September 2025
• Aged 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 in special schools, special needs resource bases or pupil referral units (year groups as detailed above)
• For Year 7 learners, the grant is £200, recognising the increased costs associated with starting secondary school.

This funding is for pupils currently eligible for free school meals and does not extend to pupils who receive free school meals under the transitional protection or universal primary free school meal scheme.

If you believe you are eligible for Free School Meals and have not already applied, then please complete our online Free School Meal application form.

The Funding is available to ALL Children looked after (CLA), also known as Looked After Children (LAC) of compulsory school age, irrespective of FSM entitlement.

There is no longer a requirement for families to submit a specific application for this grant. Families of eligible pupils will receive a Post Office letter, allowing collection of a cash payment from any Post Office branch. Please note these letters expire after 1 month, so need to be cashed promptly.

If you have any queries relating to this 2025/26 grant, please email schoolessentialsgrant@caerphilly.gov.uk or call the Catering Support Team on 01443 864055.

🔗 Further info available on the CCBC website.