Edinburgh children starting P1 in the 2027-28 academic year will join pupils across Scotland in receiving a free backpack filled with school essentials in an initiative that is the first of its kind in the UK.
Around 47,000 pupils across local primary and special schools will be eligible for the Welcome to School bags in August 2027, with the estimate based on National Records of Scotland population projections.
The bags are made of lightweight, recycled materials and feature reflective piping for safety, multiple compartments, and a window for children to insert their own drawings, with user testing this autumn to inform the final design, contents, and colours.
Each bag contains a pencil case, pens, pencils, coloured crayons, a notebook, a water bottle, and resources for reading, writing, and maths practice designed to complement the existing Bookbug and Read, Write, Count programmes.
The Scottish Government is currently procuring the bags after engaging with families and teachers, with final costs and distribution details to be confirmed following the process.
While Wales operates a means-tested School Essentials Grant that can cover school equipment for lower-income households, Scotland’s universal provision of a physical backpack follows the model of its Baby Box scheme.
Simita Kumar, MSP for Edinburgh South Western, welcomed the initiative that will benefit families across the capital.
Ms Kumar said: “The SNP is determined to give young Scots the best possible start in life – from the Baby Box, to the School Clothing Grant, Best Start Grant School Age Payments, breakfast clubs and free school meals, the Welcome to School Bag will help ensure that no child’s start to school is determined by their family’s financial circumstances.
“These steps we have taken are vital in our journey to eradicate child poverty, which is why we have prioritised delivering the first bags to reach children by the time they start school next year.”
Social Security Scotland is also currently accepting applications for the Best Start Grant School Age Payment, providing eligible families over £330, alongside the School Clothing Grant which offers at least £120 for primary pupils.
All pupils in Primary 1 to 5 and special schools also currently receive universal free school meals, saving families approximately £450 per child each year.
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