North East schools step up to feed students over school holidays
Following a highly controversial vote against providing school meal vouchers during school holidays, many schools in the North East have gone above and beyond to provide for vulnerable students over the half term and the coming Christmas holiday period.
The campaign to offer Free School Meal vouchers during half term and the Christmas holidays, as was done through spring, was backed by footballer Marcus Rashford who was instrumental in securing vouchers over the summer holidays. However, the unsung heroes behind the scenes are staff from schools who, as during the first lockdown, have stepped up to ensure students do not go hungry over the breaks.
Schools across the region have distributed donations or funded meals from two primaries – Corporation Road Primary and Harrowgate Primary – in Darlington, who have distributed parcels donated by Iceland and The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT), to Cambois Primary School in Northumberland who provided £15 to families in need over half term, while St Leonards RC Primary School, Sunderland, delivered food hampers donated by parents and staff,to families.
In a recent call out to schools to find out who was providing food banks and deliveries Schools North East was overwhelmed with responses, with over 30 schools coming forward to say that they were providing this for students.
Another initiative that has recently launched is All Kids First in Redcar. Run by Carl Faulkner, Chief Executive Officer of Ironstone Academy Trust, This aims to provide 3,600 primary and special school students, every single child in Redcar LA eligible for FSM, with meal hampers, alongside practical preparation advice which will be enough to provide 10 days worth of healthy meals over Christmas, and some other simple necessities like soap and a toothbrush. In just two weeks since the initiative launched, All Kids First has achieved almost half of its £55,000 target to make these hampers possible.
Carl Faulkner, Chief Executive Officer of Ironstone Academy Trust said, ‘Having seen the positive impact the care packages shared by Ironstone Trust had on our pupils earlier in the year, and knowing the increased pressures being experienced by many of our families this term, like many colleagues we were incredibly disappointed with the decision made by our Parliament not to fund hampers at Christmas. We wanted to respond positively and our idea grew to one that we hope will provide a healthy hamper (and menu guidance) to every FSM Primary and Special Pupil in Redcar and Cleveland.
‘We have had great community support and are approaching reaching half of our funding target. Social media has driven this- the public are on our side, although some would like us to do more we are doing what we can, and we will make a difference.’
Schools North East Director, Chris Zarraga said ‘Once again our schools have proved to be the fourth emergency service during this pandemic, stepping up to support their school communities and showing immense hard work and dedication to improving students outcomes, both inside and outside of school. The pandemic has put huge additional pressures on school staff and it is important that this is recognised by policymakers and that they are given the additional support and funding that they need. It is also crucial that any changes to the measures taken are done in dialogue with the profession to ensure that it is effective and that children and young people can be supported properly.’
These schools and staff are showcasing the incredibly hard work happening in our region to support the most disadvantaged students. Schools North East want to congratulate and thank all the schools who are continuing to go above and beyond to support their school communities throughout this incredibly difficult time.