A recent study by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) reveals that students from low-income households in secondary schools are being excluded from certain subjects due to financial constraints. The costs associated with GCSE subjects can pose barriers such as expenses for fieldwork trips, international exchanges, musical instrument lessons, cooking ingredients, and additional gear for physical education.
CPAG’s research indicates that 23% of secondary school students receiving free school meals express concerns about the financial burden affecting their subject choices, compared to only 9% of their peers who do not benefit from free lunches. Additionally, students on free school meals are more likely to consider costs when selecting school subjects, with 29% highlighting its significance, in contrast to 11% of their more affluent counterparts. Nearly a third (30%) of free lunch-eligible students find it challenging to afford necessary homework resources, including technology access.
CPAG’s previous findings suggest that families spend a minimum of £2,274.77 annually to support their child’s secondary education, with around £449.67 allocated to items like stationery and calculators. Kate Anstey, CPAG’s head of education policy, emphasizes the impact of financial constraints on children’s educational opportunities, emphasizing the need for government intervention to support struggling families and invest in children’s futures, urging the removal of the two-child limit in the autumn child poverty strategy.
The Government’s proposed Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill includes measures to regulate the number of branded uniform items schools can mandate in England. A Department for Education spokesperson emphasizes the government’s commitment to addressing educational inequalities, ensuring that financial considerations do not impede access to curriculum subjects and examination materials. Initiatives such as limiting branded uniform items, expanding free school meals to all families on Universal Credit, and introducing free breakfast clubs nationwide aim to alleviate financial pressures on parents.
A survey conducted by charity Parentkind highlights parental concerns about the cost of school uniforms, with nearly half expressing worries and 29% willing to sacrifice essential needs to cover uniform expenses. Survation conducted a survey for CPAG, interviewing 1,701 secondary school students in the UK between April 17 and May 1 to gather insights on these financial challenges.