The School Essentials Grant will open on 1 July 2025 and will close on 31 May 2026.

Who is eligible

Families with children in reception to year 11 on lower incomes and get certain benefits can apply for:

• £125 per learner and extra funding for your school
• £200 for learners entering year 7 (to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school) and extra funding for your school

Parents and carers can claim once per child per school year.

Receiving Universal Primary Free School Meals does not automatically entitle your child to the School Essentials Grant:

• Learners must be eligible for means-tested Free School Meals (eFSM).
• Learners who receive free school meals due to transitional protection arrangements do not qualify.
• All children in local authority care qualify for the grant. 

We also encourage local authorities to use their discretion to provide the grant to children whose parents or carers are not entitled to public funds.

Receiving the School Essentials Grant will not affect your tax or other benefits.