Category

• Promising Local Practice

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Poverty impact

• Mitigation
• Awareness

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Poverty driver

• Provide benefit in-kind (material)
• Provide benefit in-kind (experience)

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Keywords

• Clothing.
• Community Engagement.
• Education.
• Empowerment.
• Stigma.

Aim

Achieving equity for all.

Summary

The Social Justice Ambassadors at St. Modan’s High School in Stirling are a group of pupils who lead initiatives focused on promoting equity, supporting low-income students, and advocating for minority groups within the school. Meeting weekly, their work centres on reducing the cost of the school day and closing the attainment gap. Previous activities include the launch of a Breakfast Club—now a regular part of school life—offering free breakfast to anyone who needs it. They also introduced a ‘Take What You Need’ trolley, providing free essentials such as pencils, pens, rubbers, sanitary items and hygiene products to ensure all students can participate with dignity.

What difference does it make?

The project has made a significant difference to pupils and families facing financial challenges. Pupils who cannot access breakfast at home are now able to receive a free meal at the Breakfast Club, which has been a substantial support for families struggling to afford groceries. Additionally, pupils who cannot afford uniforms or clothing for events such as school balls are able to access these items through the project. Furthermore, pupils identified as needing additional academic support are timetabled to receive targeted assistance through the project, helping to address existing poverty related attainment gaps.
The various activities of the Social Justice Ambassadors have ensured that no pupil at the school needs to go hungry and that every pupil has access to a free school uniform if required. Furthermore, all pupils can attend extracurricular clubs without charge, including any necessary materials required for club participation. The school also provides financial support for school trips, covering costs for families who cannot afford to pay.

Key take-aways

• One important learning point is an identified need to navigate staff attitudes carefully. Even well-meaning staff may hold conservative views about who should receive support, so being prepared to present alternative perspectives and advocate for inclusive access, is vital.
• Providing support to pupils who need it versus not singling pupils out, is an ongoing challenge. While offering support universally avoids stigma, this approach may mean some pupils or families reluctant to ask for help still go without.
• Finding a balance is crucial but also challenging.

 

Organisations

St Moden's RC High School.

Location

St Modan’s High School, Stirling.

Contact