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Poverty Proofing© the School Day

Poverty Proofing© the School Day is a powerful tool for identifying the barriers children living in poverty face to engaging fully with school life and its opportunities. Focused on listening to the voices and experiences of young people, it offers a pathway for schools to address often unseen inequalities within their activities, helping them reduce stigma, break the link between educational attainment and financial background, and supports schools to explore the most effective way to spend Pupil Premium.

“One of the most impactful programmes we have ever been involved with. It is not a package, it is a process leading to a shift in ethos.”

Why do schools use our services?

In 2019/20, there were 4.3 million children living in poverty in the UK, 31% of all children (or nine in a standard class size). It is expected this has significantly grown, and will continue to grow, as a result of the pandemic and Cost of Living Crisis. But there is hope… schools have the opportunity to play an important role in removing some of the unseen barriers society creates for these young people and their families by exploring how the school day is experienced by their students.

Our impact

For over eight years, we’ve been making a real difference for the students we reach. In 2020, our expert team worked with 72 schools across the country, reaching over 31,12 students. For the students and their families impact has included radial overhauls or uniforms, trips, meals, fundraising and extra curricular activities. One Headteacher reported, “Its given us a much more complex picture of the needs of our population in school. For some who had made assumptions about families at all levels, this was a revelation.”

Our approach

Our researchers will conduct consultations with students, parents, staff and governors to understand the challenges they face, in an inclusive, straightforward and supportive process. We will then complete a Poverty Proofing© audit and work with the leadership team to identify pathways to reducing the impact of poverty on students. Schools receive a thorough written report and action plan to inform impactful decision-making, and receive accreditation pending a follow-up review. The process will also include training for staff and governors on the causes, consequences and impact of poverty on children, young people and their families and ways to identify and mitigate barriers in their roles.

“The staff training is excellent. It has made every department reconsider the way they approach certain aspects of their practice.”

Poverty Proofing© the School Day Abridged Audit

Our team has created an abridged version of our audit based on five key areas of impact. This version is suitable for small schools or those wanting to reflect on how to increase participation and support pupils in response to a specific need such as the cost-of-living crisis. It can be delivered remotely.

Poverty Proofing© Staff Training

Grow your team’s understanding of how your organisation impacts those living in poverty. Our Poverty Proofing© Training Workshop explores the experience of questions through the context of your organisation and its activities. The session is intended to inform people about the diverse experiences of people living in poverty and to generate informed discussion about ways in which we may unintentionally promote stigma or limit an individual’s access to participation and opportunities.

Poverty Proofing Pupil Workshops

What is the experience of an individual living in poverty? To what extent are stereotypes of the causes and consequences of poverty true? Poverty Proofing Student Workshops are intended to introduce the topic of poverty, and the different ways it might affect a person, in an engaging way that children and young people can understand.

Poverty Proofing the School Day Delivery Partners

Become a delivery partner of a nationally recognised programme driving change for students living in Poverty. Our Train the Trainer learning and license gives you the skills and knowledge to deliver Poverty Proofing audits, enabling you to draw on our unique, proven process for supporting schools to make impactful change.

We're here to answer your questions

If you want to learn more about our Poverty Proofing Services for schools can help you achieve your goals for inclusive, accessible education, get in touch with our Poverty Proofing the School Day Manager Lorna Nicoll on 07857500890 or via our contact form.

Resources

We have lots of free resources available for schools on how to improve the experience of the school day for pupils, from top tips on subjects such as sports day, uniform and fun, to research reports sharing the voices of pupils living in poverty. Visit our dedicated resources hub to learn more.

Subscribe to the Poverty Proofing© newsletter and get updates on news, opportunities, resources and research straight to your inbox! You can sign up using this quick, simple form.

“Such a fantastic insight to living with poverty. I felt so emotional seeing how some children and families live. I’m so excited for the journey we are about to take.”

Other Services

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Why do schools use our services?

Our impact

Our approach

Poverty Proofing© the School Day Abridged Audit

Poverty Proofing© Staff Training

Poverty Proofing Pupil Workshops

Poverty Proofing the School Day Delivery Partners

We're here to answer your questions

Resources

Newsletter

Other Services