School Essentials Grant / School Uniform Grant in Conwy County Borough

Who qualifies for a School Essentials Grant / School Uniform Grant in Conwy County Borough and what is the criteria?

The Welsh Government provide funding for a School Essentials Grant and the rates for school year 2025-2026 up to 31 May 2026 are:

• £125 for pupils entering Reception in a Primary School
• £125 for pupils in Year 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in a Primary School
• £200 for pupils in Year 7 in a Secondary School
• £125 for pupils in Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 in a Secondary School
• Pupils who are aged 4 to 15 in special schools special needs resource bases or pupil referral units.

A School Essentials Grant is to help purchase a school uniform including coats and shoes, school sports kit including footwear, equipment e.g. school bags and stationery, laptop and tablet (where school is unable to loan pupil the equipment), uniform for enrichment activities, including but not limited to, scouts, guides, cadets, martial arts, sports, performing arts or dance, specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin such as design and technology and equipment for out of school hour’s trips such as outdoor learning. e.g. waterproofs

School Essentials Grant for pupils in Reception or Years 1 to 11 will be available from Conwy County Borough Council for parents/guardians whose children attend a school within Conwy County Borough and receive anything from the list below or those who are classed as No Recourse to Public Funds:

• Income Support*
• Job Seekers Allowance Income Based*
• Employment Support Allowance Income Based*
• Child Tax Credit provided that you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual household income, as assessed by HMRC that does not exceed £16,190.
• Working Tax Credit ‘run on’ – the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• State Pension Credit Guaranteed Element
• Universal Credit with a net earnings limit of £7,400 April

*Pupils who receive Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance Income Based, Employment Support Allowance Income Related or Universal Credit in their own right are also eligible

If you have previously received a School Essentials Grant in respect of your child/children (and they currently receive Free School Meals) there is no requirement to complete an application form each year, unless there has been a change in your circumstances.

How to apply

If you require a paper form, or any help in completing the form; or have any other questions, you can contact a member of the Benefit Team on telephone number 01492 576491.

What happens to my information?

Conwy County Borough council collects your personal information to provide you with services relevant to your request.  This information will not be shared with any other third party unless the law requires us to do so.  For further information about how we handle personal information, please view our privacy policy at www.conwy.gov.uk/rbas/privacy.