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Year 11 study support packs

As part of our Great Childhoods Ambition we’re handing out free support packs to students starting year 11 in September 2025 who live in Barnsley or attend a school in Barnsley. The packs will be full of all the equipment and resources they need as they begin their final year of school, prepare for exams or assessments, and take their next steps towards a successful future. Approximately 3000 young people will benefit from the scheme.

Eligibility

Young people are eligible for the support pack if they're starting year 11 in September 2025 and either:  

  • attend a mainstream Barnsley school  
  • attend a Barnsley specialist education setting  
  • live in Barnsley but attend a school outside of the borough  
  • are a Barnsley resident and educate their child at home

The support pack is per student, so if you have more than one child eligible they'll each receive a pack.

What's in the pack

Mainstream settings

Each mainstream exam focussed pack includes:   

  • revision resources: study guides and 'how to revise' materials tailored to support independent learning
  • study and exam equipment: portable power bank, wireless headphones, notebook, flashcards, highlighters, page markers, calculator, clear pencil case, pen, pencil, ruler and eraser
  • wellbeing items: water bottle, inspirational cards, mental health first aid toolkit, and contact details for support services

In addition, we're covering the cost of a minimum of two foundation revision books (maths and English) relevant to the respective school syllabus. The books will be distributed by schools in September 2025.

Specialist settings 

For our students in specialist settings, we're working closely with those schools to ensure a bespoke version of the pack is available for students with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). These will be designed in consultation with the schools to meet individual needs.

How and when students will receive their packs

Mainstream schools

For young people attending a Barnsley secondary school, the pack will be distributed via school during September 2025.

For Barnsley young people attending a mainstream school outside the borough, the packs will be available for collection between 26 September and 31 October 2025 from Library @ the Lightbox. You'll need to bring evidence to confirm you live in the Barnsley local authority area and details of the school your child attends. Typical proof of address documents includes recent utility bills (gas, electricity, water), bank or credit card statements, a Council Tax bill, or official letters. Please don't try to collect the pack before 26 September 2025 as they won't be available.

Specialist settings  

For young people who attend a Barnsley specialist SEND setting (or Barnsley young people educated in a setting outside of the borough), the packs will also be distributed via schools. We're aiming for these to be available in September 2025.

Children who are electively home educated  

Parents who have chosen to home educate their child will receive a letter inviting them to collect a pack from Library @ the Lightbox. You'll need to bring this letter with you as evidence of eligibility. The packs will be available for collection between 26 September and 31 October 2025.

If you're on a low income and receive Universal Credit

If you're on a low income and receive Universal Credit, this scheme won't affect the amount you receive, as no funding is being provided directly to parents/carers.

Why we're doing this scheme

We want Barnsley to be the place of possibilities for everyone, and this universal study support pack will help children and young people in the borough to be better prepared for education, ensuring that no child or young person is left behind.   

The purpose of the pack is to ensure all young people start their final year of school ready for their exams or assessments and are prepared for the transition to their next steps towards adulthood. This supports the 'Grow' priority of our Great Childhoods Ambition.   

How we've funded the scheme

This investment has been made possible by additional one-off funds from an improved local government financial settlement for 2025/26. This enables us to invest in initiatives that support our Council Plan priorities, such as financial support for businesses and our school uniform scheme announced earlier in 2025.     

How we'll evaluate the impact of the scheme 

We'll work with schools to assess the impact on attendance and compliance with the requirements of year 11. We'll also gather feedback through various channels.