Every child starting primary school in Scotland in 2027 will get a free school bag filled with essentials

Around 47,000 children starting Primary 1 in Scotland in August 2027 will be eligible for a free backpack packed with school essentials.

Scottish Government

Published: August 27, 2026 at 3:24 PM

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Parents in Scotland with a child starting primary school in August 2027 could have one less back-to-school expense to think about. Around 47,000 children are set to be eligible for a free backpack filled with everyday school essentials under a new Scottish Government initiative.

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The Welcome to School Bag scheme will launch for the 2027-28 academic year and will be open to every child starting Primary 1 at their local school, rather than being means tested.

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The final backpack is still being developed, but the Scottish Government has now revealed more about what families can expect, including what's inside, how children can personalise their bag and when the first pupils will receive one.

Who will get a free school bag in 2027?

Every child starting Primary 1 at their local school in Scotland in the 2027-28 academic year will be eligible for a Welcome to School Bag.

The Scottish Government estimates around 47,000 children starting primary and special schools in August 2027 will receive one, although that figure could change depending on the number of families who choose to defer their child's school start.

Unlike some other forms of support with school costs, the bags won't be means tested. Parents will also be able to opt out of receiving one.

Full details of how and when the backpacks will be distributed are still to be confirmed.

What will be inside the free school bags?

The bags are designed to provide children with some of the everyday essentials they need when they start school.

Each backpack is expected to contain:

The backpacks themselves are planned to be lightweight and made from durable, recycled materials, with multiple compartments and pockets, reflective piping for visibility and space for a name tag.

Children should also be able to make their bag their own. Plans include a window where pupils can display a drawing, while Education Secretary Màiri McAllan has said she intends for children to have a choice of backpack colours.

Why is Scotland introducing free school bags?

The Welcome to School Bag was an SNP manifesto commitment ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election. The Scottish Government says the initiative is intended to reduce some of the costs families face when children start school and help ensure pupils begin their education with the things they need.

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said children, families and teachers had been involved in developing the plans. Further user testing with children, families, headteachers and Primary 1 teachers is due to take place in autumn 2026 before the final design is confirmed.

Every child and family should feel excited and ready for their first day of school, which is why the Scottish Government is offering Primary Ones their very own Welcome to School Bag, filled with things to help them learn.

Màiri McAllan, Education Secretary

The Scottish Government has compared the universal approach with Scotland's Baby Box scheme, with the school bags intended to sit alongside existing support including the School Clothing Grant, Best Start Grant School Age Payment and free school meals.

How much will the free school bag scheme cost?

The total cost of the initiative hasn't yet been confirmed.

The Scottish Government says the figure will be announced after the procurement process is complete. The bags will be made from durable, recycled materials, with officials telling The Herald that they will come from overseas and be assembled in Scotland.

The absence of a confirmed price has prompted criticism and questions over whether the money could instead be targeted specifically at families experiencing financial difficulties.

John Dickie of Child Poverty Action Group Scotland told The Herald that starting school is "a time of real financial pressure for families" and said it was right to explore ways of ensuring every child has what they need to learn without facing stigma because of their family's finances.

He added that such action "needs to be backed up by serious investment to further boost family incomes through increasing Scottish child payment, more funded childcare and removing barriers to parental employment."

What other help is available with starting school costs?

Families may be able to access other financial support alongside the new backpack.

The Best Start Grant School Age Payment currently provides eligible families with more than £330 to help with the costs of starting primary school. It's also paid automatically to eligible parents receiving Scottish Child Payment.

Eligible families may also receive the School Clothing Grant through their local authority, worth at least £120 for a primary school pupil.

All pupils in Primary 1 to Primary 5 and all children in special schools in Scotland are also eligible for free school meals, alongside eligible pupils in P6 through to S6.

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For parents of children due to start Primary 1 in August 2027, it's worth noting that the backpack design shown so far is only representative. Testing will continue in autumn 2026, with feedback helping to determine the final design, contents and colour options before the first bags are distributed next year.

Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.

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