Getting Your Child Ready for School
Getting Your Child Ready for School
Support and benefits for families
School costs add up quickly – uniform, meals and travel can all put pressure on a family budget.
The good news is that help is available, and many families do not realise they qualify. This page explains the three main types of support for school-age children, who can get them, and where to apply.
School Uniform
School uniform is expensive, especially with more than one child. Schools in England must keep uniform affordable, and from September 2026 they can only require up to 3 branded items (4 with a tie at secondary schools). Second-hand uniform must be available, and grants or school funds may help with costs.
Free School Meals
Every child deserves a healthy meal at school. From September 2026, every child in England whose household gets Universal Credit can have a free school meal – whatever the family earns. Children whose families receive certain other benefits also qualify, and all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 eat free automatically.
School Transportation
If your child’s nearest suitable school is too far to walk, the route is unsafe, or your child cannot walk because of special educational needs or a disability, your council may have to provide free transport. Extra rights apply to low-income families and to families who have moved, including families living on sites.
Why this matters for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller children
Romany (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller children are more likely to face barriers in education, from low family income to living far from school or moving between areas. These schemes exist to make sure no child misses out on learning because of cost. You do not need to manage the applications alone: schools, councils and The Traveller Movement can all help. There is never any shame in asking for support, these are legal entitlements, not charity.
Need advice?
Call The Traveller Movement on 020 7607 2002 or email info@travellermovement.org.uk
Free, confidential help for Romani (Gypsy), Roma and Irish, Scottish and Welsh Traveller families.