Our school uniform support scheme provides support for families living in the Barnsley local authority area with a grant towards the cost of buying school uniform for children who are starting reception or moving into year 7 in September 2026.

Starting school and moving to secondary school are important milestones for children and families. We know these transitions can bring additional costs, including the purchase of new uniforms.

Through our  Great Childhoods Ambition, we want to help children feel confident, included and ready for the next stage of their education by providing practical support at these key points in their school journey.

Eligibility

All families who live in the Barnsley local authority area, with a child starting reception or year 7 in September 2026, are eligible for the grant (one voucher per child).

Families who live in Barnsley but whose children attend a school outside of the borough are also eligible. If this applies to you, please apply for the school uniform support scheme online.

If your child is within this age range but not currently registered for a school place and your circumstances have changed and you believe you may be eligible, please contact us for advice.

Grant amount

Families who live in the Barnsley local authority area can receive:

• £50 towards primary school uniform for children starting reception

• £100 towards secondary school uniform for children starting year 7

This support is designed to help families with the additional costs that often arise during these important transition years.

The difference in contribution reflects the higher cost of secondary school uniforms, which often include more school-specific and branded items than primary school uniforms.

This grant won't affect the amount of Universal Credit you receive if you're on a low income.

Receiving the voucher

If your child is starting reception or year 7 and attends a Barnsley school, we aim to automatically issue vouchers using admissions and school data. If you're eligible, you should receive your voucher by the end of July.

The voucher is redeemable at any Post Office counter for cash and you'll receive one for each child. You’ll need to present a valid form of identification containing your name and address, such as a utility bill or driving license.

What the grant can be used for

You can use the grant to purchase items from any authorised retailer for branded uniform, or a different retailer for unbranded items, as long as it's in line with your child’s school uniform policy.

If you've already bought school uniform, the grant is a reimbursement against those previously purchased items. Or you can use it towards additional school uniform.

Funding and evaluation of the scheme

The investment for this scheme was made possible by investing Council reserves.

To evaluate the scheme we'll work with schools and families to understand the impact of this support on children starting reception and year 7. We'll also gather feedback to help us understand how the scheme supported families during these important transition periods.