School day fund helps low income families

Kitty supports pupils to take part in extracurricular activities

- JACK THOMSON LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

A Renfrewshire Council kitty has been “instrumental” in tackling financial barriers to children and young people's participation in school activities, analysis has found.

The local authority has evaluated its cost of the school day fund - a pot that helps low-income families pay for things like PE kit and stationery and take part in extracurricular activities.

It found the initiative has assisted in minimising the risk of pupils being “unintentionally discriminated against” because of money-related circumstances.

That's according to a report that will be presented at the Fairer Renfrewshire subcommittee ‘k force that focuses support for those affected by poverty and the currenteconomicenvironment-atits meeting today.