Reflections on: Good Company’s Cost of the School Day Project

Local charity Good Company Surrey have been visiting secondary schools in the area for the past three years as part of their Cost of the School Day project, to listen to students who receive free school meals about their experience of school life. Here they tell us about the project.

In recent years, Good Company has become increasingly aware of the financial pressures that school life places on low-income families, including the cost of uniform and school activities. Our Cost of the School Day project was set up in response to seeing this need. Working together with students, staff and governors, our aim is to support schools to become an inclusive community for all students, whatever their family’s income or circumstances.

Each academic year since 2021/22, two members of staff from Good Company have been visiting local secondary schools, meeting fortnightly with a small group of young people in Years 10-13 to hear about the issues affecting students in receipt of free school meals. We encouraged students to share their experiences of school life with each other, and then facilitated meetings with senior staff and governors for them hear these stories first hand and discuss the key findings and recommendations with the students.

We heard stories about the disappointment of missing out on school trips, the financial impact of complying with school uniform policies, and the embarrassment of being told in front of peers that they were not allowed certain items of food in the school canteen. Thanks to the wisdom and creativity of the students and staff involved, these schools came up lots of good ideas to address these issues, such as offering FSM students a clear meal deal option, minimising the number of compulsory and logo-ed items of uniform, and finding new ways to communicate to parents and students about the financial support available and how to access it.

“I was inspired by the students – their courage in presenting was incredible, and I can’t thank them for sharing their personal feelings and experiences with us – not easy, but done so brilliantly. I have no doubt that the school will do all they can to help resolve the issues raised.” (School Governor)

“The reason I joined this project is that I didn’t want other children to experience the same stigma that we did. I hope it makes a positive change not just for our school, but for other schools as well.” (Student)

Find out more about the project here: Good Company Surrey