Schools across Sefton are making real progress to ensure no child feels left out because of the cost of going to school.

Working with families and pupils

Twenty-five schools have now taken part in the Poverty Proofing the School Day^© programme. Poverty Proofing the School Day^© involves schools working with families and pupils to identify and remove everyday costs that can create barriers.

In Sefton, the initiative is already making a difference, with schools introducing more flexible uniform options and helping children access trips and activities, Reducing costs in this way can help cut the stress or embarrassment to pupils and ways for families to ask for help have also been put in place.

Reducing financial pressure

More than 1,200 people have shared their experiences to shape these changes, and over 130 school staff have received training to better understand and support families. Schools are also helping parents plan ahead for costs such as trips and uniforms, reducing financial pressure.

Developed by Newcastle-based charity Children North East the programme is built on the simple idea that no part of the school day should make a child feel different because of their family’s financial situation. Early results show it is helping to improve confidence, wellbeing and a sense of belonging among pupils.

Ninety-six percent

Ninety-six percent of the school staff who attended the first round of training last year, reported that their understanding of child and family poverty as now "Good to Very Good". This was an increase from 30% before the training.

Over 90% of attendees said they are more likely to make changes to their practice as a result of the training. ​And 100% of attendees said they would recommend the training to a colleague or friend.

Plans are now in place to build on this success by expanding the programme to more schools and into Early Years settings, ensuring families can access support even earlier. Training will continue, and schools will keep working closely with their communities to make further improvements.

New video

In a new video about the initiative, Collette Simms Headteacher at Our Lady of Walsingham Primary, says: “As a school, we've always tried exceptionally hard to look at the barriers the poverty brings for children and what we could do is change that.

“The training shone the light on families where they are working, but they're making minimum wage and how far that money has to stretch.

“From that training we took back that we felt there were some key areas that we could perhaps, focus on in school. I fed those back to staff quite quickly and just broaden that awareness of, you know, how much things cost and planning things out throughout the school year, which we already did.

“It kind of gave us that reinforcement that we were doing the right things but we need to continue to do that planning to make sure the pressures went up on families unnecessarily.

Adrianne Lambert, Parent Support Adviser at Our Lady of Walsingham Primary says: From what we learnt in the training we asked, So how can we sort of help this family? How can we help that family?

This is just literally the start of us, you know, the support that we can give our families.

“It's going to be amazing.”

You can watch the video here.

Reviewing how they can do more

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children Schools and Families, said: “As Collette and Adrianne say in the video, the Poverty Proofing© the School Day training that Sefton schools are undertaking is really opening participants eyes and helping them to review what they already do and how they can do more for families dealing with poverty.

“Extending the scheme into Early Years settings will mean we can work with families earlier and have even more long-lasting effects.”

Removing barriers

Cllr Joanne Williams, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “We are proud of the progress being made through this work and the difference it is already making for families.

“By continuing to work together, we can remove more barriers and make school fair for every child.

“The fact that are taking part in the Poverty Proofing© the School Day programme will maximise the prospects and opportunities for every pupil in our Sefton.”