Starting school

[Wendyjayb]

Hi all
Not posted on here for ages, but hoping someone can help me. My ds starts full time school in September and i have no idea who i speak to about free school meals. Also do they still do uniform grants (i know they did when i was a kid)
I went and priced up his uniform today and the logo stuff is gonna cost me a fortune

Any advice welcome xx

You're only entitled to free school meals if you're on income support or JSA I believe. I get WTC and am told that school meals are included in the calculation of money I get.

You don't have to buy the branded stuff. Get your shirts, trousers and pe kit from somewhere cheap like Asda (perfectly good quality and will last the year till he outgrows it - except maybe trousers if into football where the knees tend to go). My ds isn't in to football and has managed very well with 1 pair of trousers each each, a pair of shorts for very hot weather (and a spare larger size to grow into incase of emergencies)

I got my ds one school logo jumper to wear, and then another in the next size up again in case of emergencies. They're made of quick drying material so if it needs washing it tends to dry over night anyhow. In a dire emergency he can wear the bigger one and when he grows into it have that and buy another next size up spare.
And I always head into school to search for jumper etc when he comes out without it, so we only need a spare for real emergencies (another child tooks his home by mistake one time, it came back next day coz I name tag everything). We knew who it was because his jumper was the only one we could find in the class.

Only buy what you need, ie shorts and shirt for PE (he probably won't require a tracksuit till KS2)

BTW I'm assuming you're on WTC not income support (and therefore not entitlked to free school meals) as your profile says you're a PA.

Also re PE kit you will probably only require plimsoles not trainers. Get the velcro fastener ones as the others slip off much more easily!

Also make a PE bag out of some old material/sheets and decorate to personalize (either tie die, or applique shapes or initial etc.

You'll also likely need a school book bag, but they're quite cheap. You can get unbranded ones, but it's really not worth the £1 or so you'll save hunting one out so may as well get from school.

Thanks Gilly
Really must update profile, not been a P.A for 2 years now