Greenwich Council's Cabinet has approved an expansion of the school uniform grant scheme to include academy schools, a move expected to double the number of children eligible for financial assistance with uniform costs. The changes, which will be in place for the 2026/27 academic year, are designed to ensure the scheme remains fit for purpose amidst a growing number of schools converting to academies and changes to the national free school meals regime.
The revised school clothing grant scheme will now be open to children attending any state school, including academies, who are eligible for and receive targeted free school meals. To qualify for the grant, children must live in Greenwich (or be placed in temporary accommodation by Greenwich) and attend a state school, either within or outside of the borough.
The expansion is a direct response to the introduction of a two-tier free school meals system from September 2026. Previously, free school meals were a single means-tested entitlement. The new system will introduce 'expanded' free school meals for children in households receiving Universal Credit (entitling them to a free meal only), and 'targeted' free school meals for children in households receiving Universal Credit with annual earnings under £7,400 (after tax and not including benefits). It is these 'targeted' free school meals that confer eligibility for additional entitlements, including the school clothing grant.
Councillor Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Post-16 Futures, highlighted the importance of the expansion. The decision was made at a meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The council stated in its report that the expansion aims to ensure it remains fit for purpose.
Modelling suggests the number of awards made under the revised scheme could approximately double, at a cost of just over £200,000 a year. This includes approximately £200,000 for the clothing grant scheme, funded from the Crisis and Resilience Fund, and an additional £13,500 for the extension of equivalent food provision for children receiving Education, Other, Travel, and Support (EOTAS), funded by an underspend on the GLA Mayor's Free School Meals programme.
The grant amounts for Reception, Year 3, Year 7, and Year 9 will remain unchanged. The current amounts are:
- Reception: £50
- Year 3: £50
- Year 7: £150
- Year 9: £100
There are no current plans to review or increase these grant amounts in the future, despite the ongoing rise in uniform costs.
The changes to the school clothing grant scheme and the policy for equivalent food provision for children receiving EOTAS will be implemented over the school summer holiday. Eligible households can expect to receive clothing grants in August, in time to purchase uniforms for the start of the September term.
Greenwich Council stated that communication will be made with schools and parents and carers to update them regarding these changes. The council's website will also be updated with the new information.
Read the full decisions from the Cabinet meeting here: Decisions 15th Jul 2026