Access to free period products in schools and colleges in England

We want to ensure that no young person’s education is disrupted by their period. I am delighted to announce the launch of a scheme which will provide access to free period products in schools and colleges in England.

This scheme will support young people to go about their daily lives without getting caught out if they have come on their period unexpectedly, forgotten to bring products with them or if they cannot afford the products they need.

Schools and colleges can choose from a range of period products, including environmentally friendly and reusable products, and have these delivered free of charge. We are encouraging schools and colleges to engage learners, parents and/or carers in decisions around how these products are made available on-site.

Full guidance on the period product scheme can be found at the Government website

Yet, this scheme is about more than just providing products - it is about helping to address period poverty and breaking down stigmas.

It is important that all learners - not just girls - are taught about periods and feel able to have an open dialogue within school or college in order to tackle the embarrassment that still remains around this topic.

To that end, we are making Health Education compulsory in all state-funded schools, alongside Relationships Education for all Primary pupils and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) for all Secondary pupils. As part of this subject, all pupils will be taught about menstruation and menstrual wellbeing.

Please help us to celebrate this important step towards breaking the stigma around menstruation and supporting young people with the facts and resources they need to lead healthy lives.

Michelle Donelan MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families