Tag: back to school

Students watch solar eclipse thanks to donation of glasses

First year students at Portobello High had an extra surprise waiting for their very first day at high school yesterday – solar eclipse glasses!

Students were able to watch the solar eclipse safely last night thanks to the Royal Astronomer of Scotland.

Over 300 pupils have been given solar eclipse glasses so they can watch the most significant solar eclipse since 1999. Around 90 per cent of the sun will be blocked by the moon today, Wednesday 12 August 2026, from around 6pm.

Watching the rare phenomenon that creates a few moments of darkness requires special glasses so permanent damage isn’t caused to the eyes. The eye wear has been proving very difficult to source and any shops with stock selling out instantly.

The Royal Astronomer of Scotland, Professor Catherine Heymans, has been working alongside Portobello High School students in a space programme with the physics department and has provided 300 of the glasses for the entire S1 class.

Convenor for Education, Children and Families. James Dalgleish, said: “This is a fantastic gift for our first year students at Portobello High School. 

“An eclipse is such a rare event with the last being in 1999 and the next in the UK to be in 2090. It is fantastic for our young people to be able to watch the solar eclipse safely. 

“Seeing a solar eclipse is a life event and could well inspire a whole new generation of astronomers for Edinburgh.”

Hope they had better luck than me! – Ed.

Children First offers ‘lifeline’ support for parents and carers as children head back to school

As children across Edinburgh head back to school this week, Children First is reminding parents and carers that support is available now and all year round for families facing challenges.

The start of a new school year can be an exciting time, but it can also bring additional pressures for children and families. For some, returning to routines, managing anxiety, navigating friendships, dealing with financial worries or accessing the right support can feel overwhelming.

Children First’s support line offers free and confidential practical, emotional and financial support to families across Scotland. Parents and carers can contact the team at any time on 08000 28 22 33 or through webchat.

The charity’s support line has seen increasing demand, with close to 14,000 people* benefiting from support over the past year with concerns including mental health, money worries, family relationships and online harm.

Mum Laura and her son Sean** recently received support from Children First after facing challenges at home. Laura described the service as a “lifeline during a very difficult time”.

She said: “From the beginning, the support I received made a significant difference. My support line worker, Jenny, immediately understood our situation and provided advice that was practical, relevant and completely tailored to what was actually happening at home.

“For the first time in many years of seeking help, I felt truly listened to and supported with guidance I could realistically put into practice.

“I genuinely cannot say enough about how much this support has helped. The support has been consistent, thoughtful and effective and has made a lasting difference to both my life and my son’s.”

Children First’s chief executive, Mary Glasgow, added: “Children First’s support line regularly hears from parents and carers from across Edinburgh that are finding raising their babies, children and teenagers harder than ever.

“The return to school can bring a mix of emotions for children and families. While some children look forward to seeing friends and getting back into a routine, others may feel anxious, worried or unsure about the months ahead.

“Whatever challenges families are facing, Children First are here to help. Our support line team provides compassionate, expert support on a wide range of issues, including financial worries, mental health, family relationships and accessing practical support.

“You don’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming to reach out. If you’re unsure where to turn, we’re here for you.”

Children First helps children, their families and the people that care for them by offering emotional, practical, and financial support in their homes, communities and through its national support line.

Visit www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline to start a webchat with one of the team and find out more.

1 in 3 Parents in Edinburgh admit needing to go ‘Back to School’ when it comes to Technology

A new survey has found that parents in Edinburgh are struggling to keep up with their children’s growing digital know-how, with 38% admitting they’d benefit from heading back to school themselves to brush up on their skills.

The research, commissioned by laptops specialist AO.com, revealed almost half (44%) of parents living in Edinburgh think their children or grandchildren already know more about technology than they do.

And 24% said they’d even consider going to TikTok classes to learn how to use the social media platform and keep up with their kids.

The findings highlighted a clear digital divide across generations, with parents increasingly leaning on their kids to navigate laptops, apps and online platforms.

The data also showed that across the UK, 1 in 2 (53%) of adults believe their tech skills are less than competent, average, below average or ‘in need of serious help’.

And one in ten UK adults went as far as saying they feel ’embarrassed’ by their lack of tech skills.

Nick Bunce, Computing expert at AO.com, said: “Parents shouldn’t feel embarrassed or defeated when it comes to technology – it’s moving so quickly and it’s impossible to know everything.

“At this time of the year, when children have been going back to school and other young people have college and university to think about, we see a huge increase in demand for new tech such as laptops, iPads and other items. But inevitably, that brings some challenges as people get to grips with new devices and integrate them into their daily lives.

“It can be reassuring to remember that lots of families are in the same boat, so parents should instead see this as a chance to learn alongside their children. Picking up new skills together can be a brilliant way to make that transition easier, whether it’s mastering laptops, navigating apps, or simply finding quicker ways of doing everyday tasks.”

Back-to-school moments ‘a heartbreaking reminder’ for families affected by pregnancy and baby loss

Amanda Holden joins bereaved parents backing charity campaign

As thousands of parents share back-to-school snaps of their children, pregnancy research charity Tommy’s is highlighting the heartbreak of ‘missing milestones’ for those who live with the shadow of baby loss. 

Tommy’s supports families affected by pregnancy complications and loss, and its groundbreaking research has helped many bereaved parents go on to bring home a baby after loss.  

Its new campaign features the image of a shadow on a front door, in memory of children who are not here to start the school year. 

Tommy’s Ambassador Amanda Holden is among those sharing the image on social media.

Amanda’s son, Theo, was stillborn in 2011 when she was 28 weeks pregnant. She has previously marked on social media what would have been his milestone moments, including a tribute last year which said: “You would have become a teenager today”. 

Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, said: “The start of a new school year is a proud milestone for so many families, and celebrated quite rightly with shared photos and stories. 

“But it’s important to remember that for those affected by pregnancy or baby loss – including parents, grandparents and siblings – this time of year can be intensely difficult. There is a gap that can never be filled. 

“Our research into pregnancy complications and loss is already saving babies’ lives but our goal is to make pregnancy and birth safe for everyone, so that more families are spared the lifelong sadness of asking ‘what if?’

In a report published earlier this year, the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit estimated that at least 2,500 fewer babies would have been lost since 2018 if the government had achieved its ambition of halving the 2010 rates of stillbirth, neonatal and maternal deaths in England.

That equates to around 100 primary school classrooms left unfilled in England since 2018 because of pregnancy losses that would not have happened if targets had been met. 

Across the UK, half of all adults have either experienced pregnancy or baby loss themselves or know someone who has.

Further Info: https://www.tommys.org/change-lifetime-of-loss

tommys.org

Back to School – a warm welcome to the start of the new school year

Schools and early years settings across Edinburgh have welcomed back children and young people, parents and carers, teachers and school staff after the summer holidays.

Over 53,000 secondary and primary school learners will head back to the classroom this week, along with dedicated teaching and school staff. This includes 25,057 secondary school pupils in S1 to S6 and 28,307 primary school learners in P1 to P7.

Around 3,500 new Primary 1 pupils are starting their school journey including 55 sets of twins.

Over 4,400 young people will start secondary school and transition into S1 at one of our secondary schools.

The brand-new Currie Community High School building will welcome 920 learners through its doors for the very first time.

As a brand-new school year gets underway, Education, Children and Families Convener, Councillor James Dalgleish, said: “There’s always a buzz in the air this time of year as a new school year and new term begins.

“For some of our children and young people, the new school year will mark the start of an exciting milestone as they start in P1, S1 or in one of our early years settings. I am confident that our fantastic teaching and school staff will do all they can to support children and their families to settle in as quickly as possible.

“I hope that families, children and school staff alike return well rested after a relaxing and enjoyable summer break. I wish everyone a brilliant start to the new school year and a successful year ahead!”

Six-year-old reveals ultimate back to school shopping list

Back-to-school season is here, and Fort Kinnaird has teamed up with its very own Chief Fun Officer, six-year-old Ruari, to reveal what children really want in their school bags this August and help make back-to-school shopping trips that much easier. 

Tasked with testing trends and giving his official stamp of approval, Ruari has rounded up the coolest must-haves for the new term.

From school shoes with football charms to fun pencil cases, his edit of back-to-school buys is packed with personality – and available now at Fort Kinnaird from stores including The Works, M&S, Clarks, Next and Primark.  

Here are Ruari’s favourite picks:

  • Pencil cases featuring Nintendo favourites and bold designs – fun, functional and guaranteed to stand out on the school table.
  • Cool stationery sets – from gaming-themed rulers to funky pens.
  • School shoes with a football theme – built for comfort and perfect for playtime goals.
  • Fresh uniform staples and comfy shoes – perfect for all-day comfort and classroom confidence.
  • Personalised keyrings and backpack tags – the little extras that make school bags harder to loose.

Ruari said: “I had so much fun getting ready for back to school at Fort Kinnaird. There were loads of new school shoes with footballs on them – they were my favourite!

“There was also lots of cool stationery to choose from, like colourful pens and fun pencil cases. I loved choosing it all, and we had such a great day – now I can’t wait for the new term to start so I can use it all!”

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know back-to-school shopping can feel like a big task, so we’ve made it easy, enjoyable and all in one place. With Ruari’s help, we’ve captured the trends kids are genuinely excited about – turning the trip into something families can enjoy together.” 

Families can make a full day of back-to-school shopping this weekend, with a whole host of entertainment, dining and exclusive discounts on offer at Fort Kinnaird.

Kids eat for less at family-friendly favourites including Pizza Express and Frankie & Bennys. And when it’s time to wind down, head to Odeon for a bit of movie magic to finish the day in style.

To find out more about Ruari’s back-to-school essentials, visit here.

For more details and to plan your day at Fort Kinnaird, please visit:

 https://www.fortkinnaird.com/event/lights-camera-summer

Back to school support from Edinburgh School Uniform Bank

⭐URGENT INFORMATION⭐

Are you a parent struggling with the cost of school uniform? There are a few ways you can get help:

Take what you need from one of our free-to-access uniform rails at various locations (see the first section at https://edinburghuniform.org/signposting/ )

Apply for the School Clothing Grant from the council https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolgrants They sometimes give the grant to families who don’t meet their standard criteria, if they’re on a low income, so it might be worth applying. There is also info about other grants on our signposting page https://edinburghuniform.org/signposting/

Ask your school if they can help when the staff go back a couple of days before the start of term. We support mini uniform banks at lots of schools and many schools also have sharing rails.

If you have a family support worker, a health visitor, a social worker, or another similar professional you can ask them to see if you’re eligible for one of our Clothing Crisis Packs – please ask them to read the info at https://edinburghuniform.org/refer/

Social security support as children prepare for back to school  

Parents and carers are being encouraged to check their eligibility for financial support as the summer holidays end and they prepare for their children going back to school.  

Extra costs, including new shoes, stationery and lunch boxes, can soon add up.   

The five family payments administered by Social Security Scotland can help pay for extra back to school expenses alongside everyday family costs like food, clothing and days out.  

This includes the Scottish Child Payment, a weekly payment of £26.70 for eligible families with children up to 16. The payment is unique to Scotland and is supporting over 329,000 children and young people. 

The three Best Start Grant payments and Best Start Foods, also part of social security support, are designed to help families at key stages in their children’s early years, including during pregnancy.  

There is no cap on the number of children in one family who can receive these payments.  

Up to the end of March 2024, over £829 million has been provided to families across Scotland through the five family payments.  

Speaking at Home-Start Dundee, a charity that helps families with young children, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “The most important priority for our government is eradicating child poverty, and we are committed to easing the pressure on families by getting vital money into their pockets at key stages in their child’s life.  

“Whether it is helping families to buy healthy foods during pregnancy and for their kids as they grow, pushchairs to help on the move, or new shoes and clothing for school, our payments are there when they need it most. 

“We’re already supporting thousands of families across Scotland through our five family payments, and wider Scottish Government support is also helping to protect them as much as we can from the impacts of the cost of living crisis. 
  
“Even if you are working you could still get these payments and I want to encourage everyone to check if they are eligible and access the money they are entitled to.” 

Estelle Coulthard, Family Support Coordinator at Home-Start Dundee, said: “We are a local charity providing support for families with young children across Dundee that face daily challenges in life. We’re there to provide support as they learn to cope, help improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.

“We are responsive to the individual needs of families, and this includes helping to make parents aware of the financial support they are entitled to and work with them to complete application forms for financial assistance. 

“We know parents who have struggled to purchase everyday items such as formula and healthy foods for their children but the support they have received through the five family payments meant they no longer have to worry about feeding their child.

“The first five years between birth and school are vital for a child’s development and the five family payments make a huge difference to the beginning of a little one’s life, supporting parents to have the funds to purchase the necessities they need. Without these payments, families would not survive the constant rise in the cost of living in Scotland.”

Enhanced back to school support from Edinburgh School Uniform Bank

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank has taken another step forward in addressing the needs of children facing poverty by including stationery items in every clothing crisis pack.

This initiative comes in response to feedback from the Child Poverty Action Group Report on the cost of the school day.

By ensuring that children not only have access to proper school uniforms but also essential stationery, ESUB is helping to create a more level playing field.

This move will aid in reducing the stigma associated with poverty and enable children to focus on their education without the added worry of lacking basic school supplies, crucial for fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

This would not be possible without the generosity of our supporters! Thank you!

Back to School: 87% of parents in Edinburgh are spending less on themselves to save for school uniform

The back-to-school period can be a stressful time for parents and carers, and the current cost-of-living crisis is only set to add to this stress.

Looking to understand the situation parents face this month, UK affordable footwear retailer, Wynsors, has used the rate of inflation to estimate that families face paying 20% more for school uniform than they did back in 2018.

With that in mind, Wynsors has carried out a new survey of more than 1,000 UK parents to understand exactly how much this increased cost of school uniform is affecting their finances.

The results do not paint a positive picture for households across Edinburgh:

  • Over 3 in 5 parents (70%) in Edinburgh agree that the cost of buying school uniform and supplies puts a strain on their household budget.
  • Nearly half of parents in Edinburgh (45%) agree that abolishing school uniforms would help to save money.
  • 76% of parents in Edinburgh do not receive any financial support with the cost of new school uniform, and are the least likely to receive any financial help from family members.

With parents spending an estimated £230.40 on average to buy a full set of new school uniform in 2023, households across Edinburgh are having to make cutbacks elsewhere to afford the cost.

More than 3 in 4 parents in Edinburgh (87%) are spending less on new things for themselves (such as clothing) so they can stretch their household budget to cover the cost of buying new school uniform, the highest when compared with other cities in the UK, and 1 in 4 (26%) only buy school supplies and uniform when discounted to do so.

Adam Foster, Retail Director from Wynsors, comments: “As highlighted by this research, the back-to-school period is often a stressful time, but as the UK’s most affordable family footwear retailer, we want to take the stress out of the shopping experience by making school uniform accessible to all.

“From our low prices to our friendly in-store staff, we pride ourselves on helping parents over the last 50 years to get their kids equipped and ready for school.”

The full study, including more information on parents’ attitudes to school uniform and tips for saving money on the back-to-school shop, can be found on-site here: 

https://www.wynsors.com/blog/true-cost-of-school-uniform/