The Cost of Missing Lunchtime
In May 2021, the North East Child Poverty Commission, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and Children North East published The Cost of Missing Lunchtime – a briefing on free school meals (FSM) in the North East for schools, local authorities and MPs in the region.
On Tuesday, ahead of the October school census, Schools North East hosted a virtual webinar, to hear more about the recommendations made in the briefing, sharing examples of FSM best practice, and ideas on how FSM uptake and the FSM experience could be improved for pupils in the North East.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, and Amanda Bailey, Director at the North East Child Poverty Commission, opened the event, outlining the challenges facing our region.
Following this introduction, Kate Anstey from CPAG and Luke Bramhall from Children North East went into further details on the Cost of Missing Lunchtime report, looking at the financial barriers to education.
Based on the October 2020 school census data, one in four North East children living below the UK poverty line (over 35,000 children) are not currently eligible for FSM, and therefore miss out on the many proven benefits associated with the policy. In addition, more than one in ten North East children (11 per cent) who are eligible for FSM do not take up this offer, meaning they do not benefit from the support that they are entitled to.
Kate and Luke said it is important to reflect on this, explaining the barriers to FSM take up. Many families are unaware of their entitlements to FSM, while others are concerned about the stigma associated with claiming FSM, with students not always claiming their entitlements because of how a school may administer it. It is important therefore for schools to think on what they are already doing to increase FSM take up, and how to ensure school policies and practices are mindful and inclusive of all children.
On this latter question, it is important to remember that this goes beyond just those eligible for FSM. While schools aren’t able to change eligibility thresholds, they can provide additional support by taking a whole-school approach to tackling poverty and disadvantage. Increasing uptake of FSM can support this, by allowing schools to access the pupil premium, and passports to other support.
Speaking after Kate and Luke was the school perspective. Maura Regan, CEO at Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, spoke about the ‘Just Change’ campaign, to ensure children make full use of their FSM entitlement. Sean Harris from Bede Academy spoke about the importance of talking about poverty in schools, incorporating the parent and pupil voice, and becoming experts in the needs of your pupils.
Finally, all the speakers joined a panel session hosted by Amanda Bailey. The importance of having wider conversations about poverty was highlighted, with the need for more effective delivery of FSM policy. With policymakers agreeing that certain students are entitled to FSM, they shouldn’t be then relying on schools and parents to solve the problem of FSM take up. Considering the impact that food poverty can have on attainment and behaviour, it is crucial that there is a greater sense of urgency from the Government to finding a more effective way of ensuring FSM support reaches all those that are entitled to it.