Children who go hungry

In the survey of 1282 teachers, 31 per cent of primary school respondents said more children are arriving in class hungry, and more than a third reported an increase in pupils arriving without adequate clothing.

Shockingly, 79 per cent of primary school teachers said they spent their own money purchasing items for children, including clothing and food. Around one in four primary teachers estimate they spent over £100 in the last academic year.

The report also suggests that the financial position of schools is continuing to deteriorate and that most primary schools are cutting spending on targeted learning support, such as extra tutoring, and learning resources, to plug holes in budgets. No less than 93 per cent of primary heads report making cuts in at least one area in response to cost pressures.

Budget pressures are also hampering school leaders from making much-needed improvements to school buildings. Almost half (46 per cent) of primary senior heads report making cuts to planned spending on building improvements and new buildings in response to current cost pressures.

The report’s recommendations are to:

1. Extend the current eligibility for free school meals to ensure pupils in need who do not meet the current eligibility criteria can benefit.

2. Provide targeted financial support to help schools address children’s needs, alongside meeting the additional direct costs associated with current pressures.

3. Increase the capacity and responsiveness of CYPMHS (Children and Young People's Mental Health Services) and the wider support around families to ensure pupils can access help and specialist services in a timely manner, rather than schools and teachers having to step in to fill those gaps.

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