Kilwinning school gives kids breakfast to stop them going hungry
Children are increasingly turning up to school hungry, leading to teachers bringing in food to feed their pupils – according to a report released today.
That's why St Winning's in Kilwinning has started a breakfast club where kids are given, cereal or toast along with fresh orange juice and fruit to set them up for the day.
Our reporter Natalie Crawford spoke to St Winnings Primary School head teacher Claire Milson...
The study – carried out by YouGov for Kellogg’s - indicates a third (31%) of teachers bring food in specifically for students they suspect haven’t eaten anything in the morning – and one in ten (8%) even give cash to feed hungry pupils. One in five (20%) teachers believe the number of children arriving at school hungry has risen compared to this time last year. That figure compares to just 3% who say it has decreased.
The situation hits children in more than just their stomachs – with two-thirds (65%) of teachers claiming hunger is leading to pupils being unable to learn.
The survey also shows that these events are not one-offs. The majority (62%) of teachers say there are children in their school that regularly don’t eat until lunch, while one in three (36%) see children arriving hungry every day.
The economy might be improving, but money problems are apparently still hitting families. Of those teachers who saw an increase in children arriving at school hungry, three in four (74%) believe families’ financial struggles are a major factor, while half (52%) say last year’s benefit cuts are behind the rise.
Nearly half (46%) say parents are not financially able to provide breakfast because they are trying to find work. Worryingly, two in five (41%) think children are going hungry because their carers see breakfast as unimportant.