More students then ever are claiming free school meals since the initial lockdown of March 2020.
Data collected in January of this year shows a rise in those claiming free school meals. Currently more than 1 in 5 students now qualify, making a percentage of 20.8%. This is up from 17.8% in January 2020.
In previous years, the data used has been taken in January. However, this year the data was taken from an autumn census from October. The National Association of Head Teachers says that, by using a different date for Pupil Premium, it “wipes out the money given to help pupil recovery”
Schools argue that the misrepresentation of current figures means funding is low. Funding that is crucial for the most disadvantaged children. Since the first lockdown in 2020, schools have seen another 420,000 students eligible for free school meals.
The local government association (LGA) estimate the miscalculation will result in school in England losing up to 1.8 million in funding. This is a £93 million loss for primary schools and £25 million loss for secondary school pupils.
Pupil premium funding is being used to help. The scheme provides with primary school students with an additional £1,345 and £955 per secondary school student. The Government are using number who have been eligible within the last six years.
General Secretary Paul Whiteman agrees with the NAHT, saying the move means a worrying number of children will not get help when they need it most.
Free school meals rise is a worrying move towards poverty
Wayne Norrie is Chief Executive for Greenwood Academies Trust. The trust run a cluster of 37 schools in East Midland an the East of England. Typically, the students come from disadvantaged backgrounds which means 50% of them are eligible for free school meals.
However, Mr Norrie has seen children “getting poorer” over the past three years. An increasing amount of children are reliant on these school meals as their main daily source of food. Wayne’s concerns surrounding this increase in Free School meals is its affect on the child’s educational future. The pandemic means many people, along with their education, are becoming affected.
His schools are approximately £400,000 down in his budget due to the time lag. His concerns surround the fact that, without the funding, pupils will not have their “basic needs met”. Simple pleasures such as being “happy, fed and warm.”
The poverty, which is affecting home life as well as schools, means some of Mr Norrie’s older students are even having to be re toilet trained. They lost the ability during lockdown. It is also affecting children’s stamina and concentration levels.
Childhood poverty was highlighted at the beginning of the pandemic by Marcus Rashford. The footballer, who plays for Manchester United and England, petitioned for 1.3 million students to get free school meal vouchers through the summer. It is not set to be continued.
Looking for additional living space or somewhere quiet to work from home? Look no further – Log cabins at affordable prices.