Scotland to Provide Free Welcome-to-School Backpacks for All P1 Children in 2027
The Scottish Government has signed a £1.35 million-a-year contract to supply free backpacks to every child starting Primary One from August 2027.
A new initiative announced by the Scottish Government will see free "Welcome to School" backpacks provided to every child beginning Primary One from August 2027. The programme, budgeted at £1.35 million per year, targets roughly 47,000 pupils and offers five colour options plus a chance for children to add a personal drawing. APS Group, based in Edinburgh, has secured a two-year contract to assemble, store, pack and deliver the bags, which include a pencil case, stationery, a notebook, a water bottle and resources to support literacy and numeracy at home.
Additional information on social-security benefits and online safety will also be included. Education Secretary Màiri McAllan highlighted the effort as a continuation of the successful universal Baby Box, intended to remove barriers and foster a sense of belonging for all new students. Distribution will occur during transition visits ahead of the summer break, with further details on logistics to be released later.
Why it matters
Ensuring all new primary students receive essential supplies promotes equity and eases the transition into formal education.
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