Children in poverty miss out on dress-up days

Child Poverty Action Group and charity Children North East are urging schools and parent bodies to prioritise inclusion and affordability in their fun events, so that all children can take part.

Their report, The Cost of Having Fun at School, is based on research with more than 8,000 pupils in 32 schools across England, Scotland and Wales. 

The report found that many children and young people could not take part in special occasions such as dress-up days and non-uniform days because of associated costs, causing them to feel embarrassed and left out. Teachers reported pupils missing school on these days to avoid the social pressures. 

Fundraising and charity days were also a problem for pupils and families, with requests for donations contributing to financial worries. 

Other fun activities, such as school fayres and book sales, highlighted differences between pupils from lower-income backgrounds and their peers. Many children did not have enough money to attend and enjoy these activities, and described feeling different and left out.

As well as the direct requests for money on dress-up days and non-uniform days, there are also a number of financial implications associated with taking part.

Commonly, dressing up days and non-uniform days can create increased anxieties and cost pressures for some pupils and their parents.

On dressing up days, pupils reported how they are often asked to wear specific items for different occasions, e.g. polka dots for Children in Need, red clothes for Red Nose Day, literary outfits for World Book Day and a festive jumper for Christmas Jumper Day.

One six-year-old quoted in the report said, ‘There is nothing for free. If you can't pay for special occasions, you can't go.’  

While a parent said, ‘Yes [I have struggled with costs], there have been dress up days where having to buy different items has been an unnecessary expense, especially when you have more than one child.’

The report highlights many examples of good practice from poverty-aware schools that are committed to supporting struggling families.

This includes cases studies and tips from schools showing how they have taken creative approaches to these activities at no cost to families.

Some schools, for example, involve children in decorating plain white T-shirts for Christmas jumper day.

At Peel Park Primary, ‘Pupils enjoy the various ways Christmas is celebrated at school, including the visit from Santa who distributes a book to everyone at no cost to pupils, courtesy of the PTA,’ the report said.

One pupil said, ‘Santa gives you a book – everyone gets one and it’s nice to have a present.’

The report suggests making donations anonymous, putting on free events and limiting dress-up days allow schools to cut the cost pressures on families.

It is also encouraging charities who fundraise in schools to consider the challenges this presents for low-income families and develop activities that all pupils can participate in, with any requests for donations kept secondary and discreet. 

Children North East is behind the 'Poverty Proofing the School Day' project, and Child Poverty Action Group started the 'Cost of the School Day' project in Scotland in 2014.   

The Poverty Proofing the School Day project includes a toolkit to poverty proof the school day, to reduce stigma and remove barriers to learning and to assist schools in exploring the most effective way to spend school funding provided for those eligible for Free School Meals.

Case study: Downfield Primary School’s creative approach to World Book Day without the cost pressures on families

‘In Dundee, Downfield Primary School, which features in Cost of the School Day films and resources, set up two bell-style reading tents during the week leading up to World Book Day, stocked with lots of exciting titles for children to dip into during break time and lunch hour.

'Inside the tents there was plenty of room to get comfy on cushions and hang out with friends while a roster of specially-invited guests (parents!) hosted special reading sessions. At the end of the week, the school organised a book swap, open to everyone. Pupils didn’t have to bring a book to swap – it was open to all to come along and find something new to enjoy.'