The influence of poverty on children's school experiences : pupils' perspectives

Naven, Lynn and Sosu, Edward and Spencer, Sara and Egan, James (2019) The influence of poverty on children's school experiences : pupils' perspectives. Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 27 (3). pp. 313-331. (https://doi.org/10.1332/175982719X15622547838659)

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Abstract

This study examined the potential influence of policies and practices on the ability of children from low-income families to participate fully in the school day. Pupils from six schools participated in 71 focus groups and revealed a range of barriers affecting their school experience: transport costs and limited support; clothing costs, stigma and enforcement of school dress codes; material barriers to learning at school and home; concerns about free school meals; missing out on school trips, clubs and events. Findings on school uniform were an important catalyst towards a recent policy change in Scotland in increasing the school clothing grant.