Message from Swansea Council - Closing date for applying for the Schools Essentials Grant.

Please be reminded that the closing date for applying for the Schools Essentials Grant (previously known as the School Uniform Grant) is 31 May 2026 for the 2025 - 2026 Academic Year.
We recognise that there may be confusion in applying for this grant as it is for those learners that are eligible for free school meals. Being eligible for free school meals is different to the ‘Universal Free School Meal’ offer (this provides a free meal to all primary aged pupils). Children whose parents/carers receive the following support payments are eligible for free school meals:
• Universal Credit if your annualised net earnings are £7400 or less
• Income support
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Support under Part VI or the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child Tax Credit where total annual income is less that £16,190 a year
• Working Tax Credit ‘run on’

If you believe you are eligible for free school meals we would urge you to apply (even if your child is in receipt of a free meal in primary school), the application form is quick and easy to complete, and eligibility allows you to apply for the Schools Essentials Grant. This will also help your school as part of the funding schools receive is based on the number of eligible free school meal learners.

You can apply using the following link: Apply for free school meals - Swansea. If you have any queries relating to Free School Meals please contact: FreeSchoolMeals@swansea.gov.uk
Once eligibility status has been confirmed for free school meals, you will then be able to apply for the Schools Essentials Grant.

This grant is available for those learners:
• Eligible for free school meals
• Children Looked After (CLA) (must attend a Swansea school)
• Who are classed as No Resource to Public Funds (NPRF)
• In year groups Reception – Year 11 (as of September 2025)
The grant is £125 per eligible learner except for those in Year 7, who will be entitled to £200.
The grant can be spent on (but is not limited to):
• School uniform including coats and shoes;
• School sports kits including footwear;
• IT equipment;
• Uniform for enrichment activities (for example scouts, guides, cadets, dance etc. ); and
• Equipment (for example school bags and stationery).
You can apply for the Schools Essentials Grant using the link below:

School Essentials Grant (formerly school uniform grant - PDG access) - Swansea If you have any queries relating to the Schools Essentials Grant please contact: 
schooluniformgrant@swansea.gov.uk