Cost of the school day
Cost of the School Day Policy
Carluke High School, South Lanarkshire Council
At Carluke High School we recognise the need to reduce the Cost of the School Day for all our pupils and particularly for our pupils who are already experiencing poverty. We examine the school day through the following headings; Uniform, Travel, Learning, Friendship, School trips, Eating, Fun, Clubs and Home learning.
Uniform – our current uniform is black trousers or skirt, with a white shirt, tie and black footwear. Also, a black jumper/cardigan and blazer. Families can purchase uniforms from ALJ Lanark. We do not insist on badged sweatshirts/polo shirts. Next session we intend to update our practice by consulting with our Pupil Leadership teams regarding uniform.
Uniform is also accessible to students in our Uniform Room and outside Mrs Sim's Office. We also provide a uniform app Uniformerly, where pupils and parents can select any item on the app, it will be packaged and can be collected from our school office. We also have a pop-up shop at OneCan shop Carluke during the summer holidays so that it is available to parents and pupils.
Travel – a third of our children travel to school by bus. Transport is provided for the majority by the Local Authority. We are aware that this could mean many children are not able to attend after school clubs and we therefore ensure that we have lunch time activities as well as after school (please see our Club sheet attached).
Learning – children at Carluke High School do not need to pay for any core learning activity. Pens and pencils are provided and young people do not need to bring their own equipment. We currently have a procedure for young people to borrow equipment if they need it for homework (e.g a Chromebook). All S1 pupils receive a Welcome pack at the start of the term that includes: a school t-shirt for PE, stationary, calculator and folder.
Working together
We ensure that any pupil experiencing poverty-related bullying has a way of reporting this in confidence. We teach young people about poverty related issues as part of PSE, within Business Education, YPI programme within S2 and as part of our Assembly programmes. We already gather the views of our young people and families on the Cost of the School Day and involve them in decision making around this.
School Trips
Currently our trips are planned each year by ensuring they are well spread out, are financially viable and leaders liaise with our Excursions DHT and policy. We try to reduce the cost by exploring all venues and reasonable costs, plus having a spend plan if necessary. External funding is used where possible and we publicise that help is available if required on all Parental communications.
Eating at school
On average we have 33 % of pupils who were in receipt of Free School Meals. We are aware that there may be a stigma associated with a free school lunch and we try to reduce this by ensuring that those in receipt of FME are aware of it. We also raise the profile of Equity and Poverty in its broadest sense and how it affects a large section of our school community. This is done through our assemblies, Poverty week and sharing information regularly with staff and pupils. We estimate that approximately 80% of pupils who are eligible for Free School Meals take up their entitlement. In order to increase that percentage we will continue to meet with every pupil that is entitled to a free school meal and target any families whose circumstances may have changed.
- Food aid - we can refer families to Food Banks in Carluke if food support is needed.
We have also started a new partnership with Magic Breakfast:
This allows us as a school community to offer every young person a better start to the day from 8am to 8.30am and for any later comers until 9am by providing an abundant supply of breakfast foods including: Kellogg’s and Quakers cereals (including porridge), milk, 50/50 Warburtons bread, crumpets, NYC Bagels and Heinz beans. We also offer fresh fruit, water and juice.
Fun Events
Carluke High School recognises that events planned for enjoyment can put added pressure on families. We look carefully at attendance and participation in these events in order to see if there are any poverty-related patterns that require action, or for those who have not signed up.
As with school trips, our Events are planned by sharing a calendar of events across the school; this will be reviewed annually. Some of which are on our whole school calendar. When young people cannot afford to take part in any activity, we ensure they have the opportunity to participate by sharing information about asking for financial help both with the pupils and also their families. This is done through a confidential website, pupils signposting their concerns or staff sharing information with Pupil support or SLT.
An example of our commitment to reducing costs is that our Prom Committee is currently trying to secure sponsorship and raise funds by contacting external partners within the community, hold Race Nights and work alongside local businesses to reduce costs of every aspect of the event. There is also our Prom Boutique set up in the school where we have a wide variety of outfits (for male and female pupils) and Prom packages on offer to support those going to Prom for hair, make-up and accessories.
School Clubs
At Carluke High School we have the following clubs (see poster below). We do not charge for young people to attend or take part. Some clubs may require specific equipment e.g. badminton racquet, football boots, outdoor equipment and we will support our young people to access any equipment they might need or help support departments to facilitate the club.
Home Learning
We try to reduce the cost of learning at home as much as possible by lending Chromebooks, and providing materials. We have a clear understanding in the school about lending equipment for pupils who may struggle (this is predominantly done by SfL department and Pupil Support) and we ensure that any homework activity can be completed by all pupils no matter their family circumstances. Homework is linked to our Positive Relationships Policy, by taking RESPONSIBILITY for their learning including homework and ‘owning’ their learning. Any pupil who does not complete homework regularly will be given a text message home to alert parents/families and discussed with the Pupil Support teacher and DHT link
We are very clear that the Cost of the School Day is an area that requires constant vigilance and will not be ‘fixed’ by any one action. In our Improvement Plan we will be focusing on
- Continuing to work in partnership with our Pathfinders and their close links with targeted families and young people
- Expansion of food provision for those who need it: food packages, access to breakfast and food throughout the day
- Maintain the excellent provision that Participatory Budget provides, with 3 clear priorities: Support for school trips; food provision; school resources
- Provide the opportunity for every child to succeed, both in terms of achievement and attainment. This will allow appropriate school and career pathways, and post school opportunities for all
Being READY for Learning
At Carluke High School we know how important it is to feel READY for learning and our commitment to reducing the Cost of the School Day includes a variety of packages we can provide:
- Hygiene products – provide soap, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, sanitary products
- Period Products- We make different types of period products available so they can be freely accessible from a number of locations in the school, without people having to ask for them.
- Access to clothing: tights/leggings/school ties/winter clothing and uniform packages
School Website
The school website has been updated, communicating information to students and parents regarding Equity. Moreover, useful financial websites have been included such as Money matters, Clydesdale Citizens advice bureau, EMA and Scottish child payment.
Clubs @ Carluke High School
