Research shows impact of hardship on primary schools

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has released research showing the impact that hardship is having on families, children and staff in primary schools - as well as in primary and community healthcare settings.

The research found that on average, primary school staff estimate 48 per cent of their pupils had experienced hardship at some point since the start of the school year. 

Nine in ten staff say that pupils experiencing hardship has an impact on them as staff, their colleagues or the wider organisation they work for.

What's more, seven in ten say supporting pupils hardship is a challenge where they work; of those who say hardship is a challenge, two thirds say it makes it harder for them to do their job well.

On average, staff estimate more than a third of their pupils came to school hungry at some point this school year, rising to 44 per cent in deprived areas.

Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said: “Schools and their staff are increasingly bearing the weight of addressing poverty in society – a responsibility which must lie with government. How can it be right that primary schools are now key providers of food aid?

"This new research adds to a now substantial amount of evidence - which all tells the same story of schools having to deal with problems they are not equipped for. Three in five of our members say they or their school provide extra food for hungry pupils from their own pockets.

"As the JRF’s report shows, 9 in 10 primary school staff say pupils’ hardship is now having an impact on them. It cannot carry on like this. 

"An incoming government must recognise and address the causes and impacts of child poverty. Schools need to be poverty-proofed and it cannot be left to staff to feed hungry children from their own already stretched incomes. Solutions need to begin outside of the school gate, with the immediate removal of the two-child benefit cap and the introduction of Free School Meals to all pupils. Until these things happen, our state will continue to be shamed by its inaction against the scourge of child poverty”.