Data released by the Department for Education indicates a strong uptake for its scheme to provide free products to ensure students do not have to miss lessons because of their period.
It reveals 13,822 organisations - 68 per cent of all those eligible - have ordered free period products since the scheme began in January 2020.
This total includes 94 per cent of secondary schools and 90 per cent of post-16 organisations.
The DfE-funded scheme is intended to provide free period products to all students helping those that cannot afford them, that have forgotten to bring them or might need them unexpectedly.
New analysis reveals the value of products being ordered increased by almost a quarter in 2021 to £3.4m compared with £2.8m in 2020.
A further breakdown shows the number of environmentally friendly or reusable products ordered increased from 30 per cent in 2020 to 48 per cent of all products in 2021.
DfE said that the number of organisations supporting its scheme was helping to reduce stigma around menstruation and end period poverty experienced by disadvantaged pupils.
However, it is encouraging more primary schools to order products after its research found less than two-thirds of these settings were engaging in the scheme.
The data also highlights areas where take up of the scheme has been particularly high such as Redbridge in east London where 91 per cent of eligible schools and colleges have made at least one order since January 2020.
Areas such as Darlington have seen the biggest increase in uptake year on year with 58 per cent of organisations placing orders in 2021 compared with 26 per cent in 2020.
Will Quince, minister for children and families, said he was pleased to see free period products in high demand at schools and colleges across England.
“I encourage every school and college to check their stocks and continue to order products before the end of the academic year. It is the quickest and simplest way of making sure they are available to everyone who needs them,” he said.
The scheme is supplied by phs Direct and allows schools and colleges to order the quantity and type of products they need which are then delivered free of charge.
Chris Brown, head of public sector at phs, said the success of its partnership with the DfE meant that thousands of students were able to easily access period products.
“They are a necessity, not a luxury and providing access to these products through schools doesn’t just increase the days learners can be in the classroom. It alleviates stress, increases dignity and protects their health and wellbeing,” he said.
The DfE has already extended the scheme until July 2022 and is expected to announce plans as to whether it will continue in the next academic year.
