Free or discounted uniforms, health, free school meals and more

Supporting you with back to school...
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Back to school email
Back to school!
Getting back to school or starting at a new school can be exciting! For some people the idea of returning to or starting at a new school in September can also bring some worries.
Whether you’re a parent worried about the costs of transport or school uniform, or concerned about a young person’s mental health, we've put together some useful information to support your family ahead of the new academic year.
Back to School Support [
]
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uniform
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Support with Uniform
School uniforms, kits and equipment can be expensive and with the rising cost of living. We've created a list of some of the places in Doncaster offering free and reduced cost school uniforms and equipment.
Do you know any others? If so, complete our short form [
] and we'll add them in:
* *St Peter's Uniform Bank Bentley [
] *- all items are free. They stock primary school uniforms for people living or attending school in the DN5 area, but can also help people outside of the DN5 area on request if they have the colours needed. The high schools covered are Ridgewood and Donvalley.
*Fill in their form [
] to request uniform in advance which is recommended as there can be queues when turning up on the day.*
Address: Town End Community Hub, Conyers Road, Bentley, DN5 9SU at the following dates and times:
*Friday 9 August, 10am-12pm*
*Saturday 10 August, 10am-12pm*
*Friday 30 August, 10am-12pm*
* *Mexborough* [
]* Community Hub Pre-Loved School Uniform Open Day [
] - *offering pre-loved uniforms for back to school on:
*Thursday 29 August, 12 noon until 3pm at New Oxford Road, Mexborough S64 0JL.*
* *Doncaster's uniform exchange Facebook page [
]*- A group to gift or sell unwanted school uniform from the Doncaster school area.
* *Pre-Loved Uniform Bank at St Lawrence Church Hatfield* [
]- Uniform sales are inside St Lawrence Church, Station Road, Hatfield. Anyone welcome - all items 50p up to a maximum of £5 (fill a bag for a fiver!) Lots of generic uniform as well as some stocks or logo items from local primary schools (Delta Woodhouse, Crookesbroom, Sheep Dip, Dunsville, Travis St Lawrence), also local secondary schools (Ash Hill, Trinity, South Axholme, Hungerhill, UTC). They also have shoes, winter coats, bags and tights. Get in touch, hello@hatfieldstlawrencechurch.com
* *West Road Primary Academy Moorends [
]- *offering uniform for back to school, including t-shirts trousers and jumpers/cardigans. Please get in touch directly for more information - tel 01302 812734, admin@westrd.doncaster.sch.uk.
* *Thorne and Moorends Uniform Bank [
]*-
Thorne Old People's Welfare Centre. Get in touch, t.a.m.schooluniformbank@gmail.com
* *Bullcroft Memorial Hall* [
]- providing free school uniform in the hall. Bullcroft Memorial Hall, Chestnut Avenue, Carcroft, Doncaster, DN6 8AP, 01302 874587.
* *Balby Central Primary [
]* has a uniform swap shop where they recycle and give out preloved uniform. Tel 01302 321914.
* *Harworth and Bircotes Uniform Swap Shop [
]*- Preloved uniform can be found at Harworth and Bircotes Town Hall - visit their Facebook page [
] for more info.
* *Grace Church Doncaster [
]* will be having Coffee and cake + pre owned Hayfield infants and juniors uniform event in The Zone, 6 Priory Place Doncaster DN1 1AA. Contact for more info.
* *Cantley Neighbourhood Centre [
]* are currently taking donations for school uniform- please visit them to find out more. Tel 01302 215690, neighbourhoodcentre1@gmail.com
* *Woodfield Primary School *- contact for more info, 01302 853289.
You can also speak with your school about where to access support towards uniform or equipment. To let us know about support available in your local area, fill in our Back to School Support form [
].
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Support For Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND)
We know that transitioning to a new school or returning to school can be even more daunting for our children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and these worries can sometimes make it more difficult to get to school.
There is lots of information, support and advice available on Doncaster’s ‘Local Offer’ with an area dedicated to schools and education which provides information about specialist transport, transitioning between schools and much more.
Find out more about the Local Offer [
] and the dedicated resources as well as the Transitions web page [
] with information around planning and a video that captures the thoughts and feelings many young people experience when transitioning to a secondary school.
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Free School Meals
We all know that having healthy and nutritious school meals is massively important to children’s wellbeing and helps to boost their concentration and energy throughout the day. However we also know that affording school meals can be tough, especially with the rising cost of living. Every penny counts! Our website provides lots of information on accessing free school meals.
More on Free School Meals [
]
Also, if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or 2 their meals are free – simply book in at school!
If you child has any special medical dietary requirements, have a chat with school reception – you’ll just need a letter from a doctor or dietician. Religious and vegetarian menus are also available every day.
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Is your child starting a new school in September?
If you have any questions about your child starting primary, secondary or any school with additional considerations, you are not alone and there is support available. The Solihull approach has launched their free video guides to help reassure you. [
]
The guides are packed with guidance to help you understand you're child's development and what to expect in this time of change.
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Support with Childcare
Finding the right childcare provider for your family can sometimes be a difficult task and there are lots of options to choose from. Families Information Service have written a *short guide to help you choose a childcare provider [
]* which best suits the needs of you and your family.
To help you in your decision, you can also take a look at a childcare providers most recent *Ofsted inspection report [
]*. You can find further helpful information on the *Family and Childcare Trust website*. [
]
Whether you have toddlers or teens, there are schemes available to *help you pay towards the cost of childcare [
]*.
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Childhood Vaccinations
With the new school year ahead, it's important that you know when your child needs vaccinations and that they are given on time for the best protection. Visit the NHS vaccinations and when to have them [
] for a full time-line of what vaccinations your child should have, and at what age. If you believe that you or your child may have missed a vaccine, contact your GP to arrange to book in.
Childhood Vaccines [
]
Vaccinations back to school
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Who do I speak to if I am worried about school?
Firstly, we always recommend you try to speak to the school in the first instance. They are there to support the whole family to ensure everyone is happy, healthy and attending school. If you can’t speak to your school, there are lots of other people that are available to support you.
*Education Welfare Team [
]* –
This team aren’t just there to make sure that young people in Doncaster are attending school, they want to support the whole family to ensure we can support you with any barriers you are facing in getting a young person to their school.
*Zone 5-19 or your local GP [
]* – If a young person is struggling with their health, whether that is physical and mental health, please don’t hesitate to speak to make an appointment with your local GP. Parents can also contact the children's wellbeing service 'Zone 5-19' 0300 0218997, the team will also be out and about over the school holidays- you can find out more through their Facebook Page [
].
*Your local*
[
]*Family hub [
] -* Think of any service you may need from day care and early learning to schools and education support; from midwives to health visitors and mental health; from advice on parenting to family support and adult learning to employment opportunities we are here to offer support and advice.
Healthier Together: [
] If something is worrying you, the South Yorkshire Healthier Together w I'm worried about :: Healthier Together (sybhealthiertogether.nhs.uk) [
]. You can also find support for parents with getting ready for school through the Healthy Learning website [
].
Zone 5-19 [
]
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*Please forward this message on to anyone who may also know about available support in their local area.*
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