Increasing numbers of pupils are coming to school hungry, anxious and unable to concentrate because of family financial pressures, a teachers’ union has said. The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) said growing numbers of teachers and schools were providing food, equipment and clothes for pupils. Others were offering financial advice and referring struggling families to external support services.
The government said it was committed to working to eliminate child poverty and improving life chances for children. More than 3,250 teachers responded to the NASUWT survey about their experiences over the past year.
The survey found:
* Almost three-quarters of the teachers had seen pupils coming to school hungry
* Over a quarter had given food to hungry pupils
* Most said their school had given food to hungry pupils
* Most had seen pupils unable to afford uniform
* 15% had given pupils clothing
* 59% said their school had given pupils clothing
* Almost two-thirds had lent or given pupils school equipment
* Most said their school had lent or given pupils school equipment
* Over a third had seen pupils leave school mid-term because they had lost their homes
* Over a third were aware of pupils living in temporary accommodation
* 41% had given advice to families on issues related to financial pressures
* Most said financial pressures meant rising levels of anxiety among pupils
* Nearly three-quarters reported pupils being absent from school
* Nearly two-thirds said pupils had exhibited behaviour problems Read more
