‘Even though I have a job I still can’t afford school uniform for my kids’

A working mum of three has told how the cost of living crisis has left her unable to afford school uniform without help from a grant. Gemma Williams, from Cardiff, said the cost of living “is through the roof” and “daily life is hard at the moment.” She is urging others to apply for the grant, which is worth up to £200 a year per child for those who are eligible.

Gemma’s children, aged six, 10, and 11, attend Bryn Celyn Primary in the Pentywn area of Cardiff where 65% of pupils are eligible for the Welsh Government’s school essentials grant.

The primary already helps struggling parents with food and energy bank vouchers and has just opened a pay-what-you-can-afford food shop. Head teacher Liz Berry said some families are struggling with the cost of living soaring. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here

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Miss Berry is urging families to apply for help with school costs too. She said the cost of living crisis was still very much affecting families and school costs on top of other spiralling bills can be an added worry.

Miss Berry said people should check whether they’re eligible and apply for the Welsh Government’s school essentials grant through their local education authority.

The grant has an added benefit that extra cash also goes to the child’s school. If pupils are given the grant their school is then also allocated greater funding to support them, which also helps their education.

“It means the we can access a wider range of resources,” said Miss Berry, “We can appoint new staff and it really supports our school funding across the year. Where families aren’t applying it means the school is going to miss out. So it’s really, really important that the families do apply for the grant.”

The grant, which families apply for through their local council, can be spent on things including educational visits, music lessons, buying the school uniform, and other costs for the school day.

“This grant forms the financial support for families to be able to pay the costs for some [school] visits so that’s really important for us, ” said Miss Berry.

“We can support the families in school to a point but our budget doesn’t stretch fully to that. And so we’ve got to be really careful with our money and this really does contribute to that.

“The other thing is that we know the grant will support families to their school uniform. And as a school we really encourage families to put the children in the school uniform – that builds that sense of belonging and that team approach across the school.

“I think lots of the families in Bryn Celyn have been really affected by the rising costs of gas and electricity, the food costs, the cost of living crisis, and it still is ongoing. It’s not something that’s gone away for us.

“We support families with foodbank vouchers and energy bank vouchers. We are just about to open our big box bwyd where families can access food and pay as you feel and it does have an impact on families who are struggling.”

Gemma, whose oldest child is going up to high school in September, said the grant has been a huge help and she literally would not have been able to afford uniform without it. A child starting secondary is also an added expense.

Gemma, who works part-time, said: “The grants have been really helpful. Without the grant I don’t think I’d be able to get their uniforms because I think it’s expensive. They would definitely miss out without it. Some kids here are better off than other kids.

“It’s hard making ends meet at the moment as a parent with school expenses and everything else. Cost of living is through the roof. Daily life, living, everything is hard at the moment.

“I do work. I work in Domino’s part time. I was full-time but it’s still hard. Even working it’s hard.”

How to apply for the school essentials grant

Applications to receive up to £200 per child to help with the cost of the school day are open. The school essentials grant is available for families on lower incomes and who qualify for certain benefits. Schools also receive additional funding as a result of claiming this grant.

Eligible families can apply for a grant of £125 per child per year. Families with children entering year seven can apply for £200 to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school. All looked-after children qualify for the grant.

The school essentials grant can be used for school essentials such as uniforms, school activities, sports kits, and stationery.

A total of £62.5m has been spent since the scheme was introduced in 2018 and in the last two years alone helped more than 170,000 families.

The 2025 to 2026 scheme is currently open and will close on May 31, 2026.

Check your eligibility for the school essentials grant here. It is important to check your eligibility even if your child receives universal primary free school meals. For further information go here.