Thousands of children starting Primary One in Scotland are set to receive a new Welcome to School Backpack under a scheme scheduled to launch in the 2027/28 school year. Around 47,000 pupils are expected to benefit during its first year.
Ayr SNP MSP Siobhian Brown has welcomed the announcement, saying the bags will help children begin school with essential supplies and reduce the pressure on families preparing for the transition.
The programme is relevant to families across Ayr, Prestwick and Troon. Ms Brown said: "Every child in Ayr, Prestwick and Troon should feel excited and ready for their first day of school, which is why the SNP is delivering the new Welcome to School Backpack."
What will be in the Welcome to School Bag?
The backpack will include a pencil case, stationery, a notebook, a water bottle and learning resources for children to use at home. It will also have reflective strips intended to support safety, nameplates to identify the bag and a window where children can display their own drawings.
The contents are designed to provide practical items for the first days of primary school, while the home-learning resources are intended to support children beyond the classroom. The source material does not state how the bags will be distributed locally or whether families will need to apply for one.
Wider help with the cost of starting school
The backpack scheme is being announced alongside existing financial support for eligible families. They can receive more than £330 through the Best Start Grant and over £100 through the School Clothing Grant to help cover the costs of starting school.
Ms Brown linked the new bags to other Scottish Government measures, including the Baby Box, School Clothing Grant, Best Start Grant School Age Payments, breakfast clubs and free school meals.
She 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. "
She added: "The Welcome to School Bag will help ensure no child’s start to school is determined by their family’s financial circumstances."
The MSP said the first bags had been prioritised so children could receive them by the time they start school next year. She described the measures as part of an effort to eradicate child poverty.
Ms Brown said: "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. "
She also said: "That is what people in Scotland get with the SNP – a government always on their side."
The scheme’s first-year target is approximately 47,000 pupils across Scotland. Further details about local delivery, eligibility for the backpacks and collection arrangements were not included in the announcement.