Hanley St Luke’s Poverty Proofing Policy

School Clothing

• We positively promote the wearing of the school uniform and footwear to create a school identity. In addition this helps prevent ‘competition’ among pupils for the latest designer clothing/footwear.
• In line with statutory guidance, we minimise branded school logo items to no more than three. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms 
•  These are the school sweatshirt / cardigan, polo shirt and PE top which can be purchased with our logo from National School Wear Centre in Hanley and Smart School Uniforms in Tunstall. These can be ordered direct or travelled to.
• We have a flexible approach to the remaining items so parents can look at a range of suppliers in the correct colours.
• We have ensured that our uniform supply arrangements give the highest priority to cost and value for money, including to an item’s quality, durability and sustainability for longevity.
• We have ‘Pre-Loved' items available and all parents are welcome to take any items of clothing at a reduced cost direct from the suppliers as new.
• Any items in lost property for longer than 3 months are added to the pre loved stock or offered out to parents.
• If a child regularly comes to school without uniform we can provide uniform items and PE kit.
• Coat and footwear/ clothing giveaways will be planned across the year.

Non-uniform days

• When planning non-uniform days, we consider the ability of pupils from low-income families to fully take part, especially where costumes or dressing up are required.
• We keep non-uniform days / dress down days to a minimum and consider carefully the theme to ensure no additional cost to parents.
• We provide options, alternatives and ideas with clothing families may already have such as: Pyjamas on World Book Day, red/ white/ blue clothes for British or Royal themed days , red and yellow for Spanish days and ‘own clothes’ for cultural days as a more general approach.
• Participation should not be dependent on parents or pupils making a financial contribution. Charity contributions are voluntary, and not fixed. These days are always donation only and no one is excluded from taking part if they do not have a donation.

Food, Drinks & Snacks

• We support parents in completing Free School Meals application forms at enrolment and for any new pupils
• An electronic link to Free School Meal application forms is regularly included in newsletters.
• Office staff offer to help anyone who may need assistance completing the forms.
• Breakfast and after school snack is provided at Wraparound Care- some children access this resource at no cost.
• We have a ‘sharing shelf’ in the main reception are where families can collect food and toiletries as needed.
• Magic Breakfast is provided every day for all children- bagels, toast and crumpets.
• Fruit is provided for all EYFS and KS1 children daily. Surplus is shared across KS2.
• Additional food is provided if children are still hungry.
• Sugar free juice is provided for all children at lunch time.
• If a child’s parents have not pre booked a lunch and they do not have a packed lunch, we will always provide a school lunch and support the family with payment/ ordering.
• If a non FSM eligible child regularly does not have lunch booked and paid for, we would contact the family to discuss and cover the costs of lunch for an agreed period.
• We provide fresh drinking water for those children who may not be able to bring bottles from home. All children are able to fill their bottles throughout the day.
• Any party / occasion food and drink is provided by the school.
• Children are encouraged not to bring sweets / treats / cakes in to celebrate their birthdays as this leads to peer pressure, does not support our healthy school status and is challenging for pupils with allergies etc.

In The Classroom

• We offer free full time nursery places from September, and later in the year free Rising Three places.
• We provide all stationery and other essentials in the classroom, which pupils can use at any time.
• Pupils are not asked to write and focus on what they have done in the holidays, at weekends or out of school as this can be problematic for pupils living in poverty who may not have had as many experiences or opportunities as their peers.

Out of School Learning

• Staff bear in mind that not all children have access to a computer, tablet or the internet when setting home learning tasks.
• Staff bear in mind that not all children have access to resources such as stationary, paper arts and crafts and will ensure that all children are given, or offered, the resources they need or if they ask for something. For example in a poster competition.
• We provide daily homework club so that children can do their homework with access to a device.
• We are aware that it can be difficult for parents to meet the cost of after school clubs so the majority are provided free of charge for all.

School, Trips & Activities

• As many trips, visitors and events as possible are free to parents as part of our core offer.
• Where a trip or activity has a cost attached, we ask parents for a voluntary contribution towards the cost. Any shortfall is met by the school but, if insufficient contributions are received, the trip may be cancelled.
• We always give parents as much notice as we can of activities and trips to allow time to save and pay.
• We use Arbor to pay for trips or events to ensure privacy.
• For any residential trips we aim to give parents approx. 12 months to pay in order to help spread the cost. In addition, we look at any requests for financial help to support families and ensure all pupils have access to all opportunities.
• We always liaise with families who may be facing financial difficulties and agree a payment plan which may exceed the date of the activity/event.
• We do not operate a first come, first served with payment policy for any trip or event.
• We never read out names of children who have not paid. If necessary the office staff will communicate directly with parents.