Applications now open for school uniform and sports kit grant
Posted on : 05 Jul 2022
Parents across Caerphilly County Borough can now apply ONLINE for a £225 grant (except for year 7 which is £300) towards their children's school uniforms, sports kits, or equipment for other activities outside of school for the 2022/23 academic year.
Learners currently eligible for free school meals can apply for this grant if they are:
- entering reception, year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in primary school in September 2022
- entering year 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 in secondary school in September 2022
- 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 £300, 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 offer. If you have submitted an application for Free School Meals then you must await the decision before applying for the PDG Access grant.
If you believe you are eligible for Free Schools Meals and have not already submitted an application then please complete our online Free School Meal application form. You MUST await the outcome of this before applying for the PDG Access grant.
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. In a change to last year’s application process, please note a claim will need to be submitted.
The funding can be used to purchase:
- School uniform, including coats and shoes;
- School sports kit including footwear;
- Uniform for wider activities, for example sports, scouts and guides;
- School equipment where new curriculum activities begin such as design and technology; and
- Equipment for out of school hours trips such as waterproofs for outdoor learning.
- Laptops or tablets to assist with remote learning. Welsh Government advise families to contact their child’s school/setting to discuss loaning equipment before purchasing.
Mobile phones are excluded from this funding.
If you have already purchased the items, you can still apply and receive the funds retrospectively.
Applications for the Pupil Development Grant Access will be administered centrally by Caerphilly County Borough Council and not by individual schools.
Apply for the grant on the council’s website.
Please note that the value of the grant has been increased by £100 as listed above for one year only (22/23) per learner eligible for free school meals. This applies to all compulsory year groups (Reception – Year 11), Looked After Children, and those who are classed as No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).