Young children are unable to learn because they are embarrassed and ashamed by their family’s poverty, schools leaders are warning today.
Headteachers say they have seen parents weeping because they can’t afford uniforms or dinner bills and children eating mouldy bread for their lunch.
The NAHT headteachers’ union say a survey of hundreds of school leaders reveals a heart-breaking picture of the impact of austerity on their pupils’ lives.
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The comments were shared at NAHT’s annual conference in Telford.
A school leader from Derbyshire said: “I have observed children emotionally battered and unable to learn, pupils too hungry to think and deprived of sleep due to a lack of heating, bedding and clothing.
“I’ve seen parents weep because they can’t afford uniform or pay the dinner bill. I’ve seen a pupil eat a biscuit for breakfast and have a mouldy piece of bread as the only lunch in their box and have had parents break down when confronted as they haven’t eaten all day either.”
Children are more aware of their parents’ money and troubles - it worries them,” said a school leader from Sandwell in the West Midlands.
Other comments mention the insecurity of the family income, the threat of eviction, domestic violence and increased foodbank use.
The NAHT said: “Overwhelmingly, school leaders report that these problems are more common than five years ago.”
“Many families work and therefore earn just enough money to disentitle them, and the school, to pupil premium funding,” said one headteacher in Swindon.
Polling conducted alongside the research showed that:
• 75 per cent of school leaders reported seeing an increase or significant increase in the number of parents coming to school to ask for financial support or support with essentials in the last five years.
• 81 per cent reported seeing an increase or significant increase in the number of children coming to school hungry in the last five years.
• 86 per cent reported that they provide more or significantly more support than five years ago
• 85 per cent felt that this level of support was not sustainable for their school to continue with for the next five years.
The NAHT had responses from 400 school leaders.
Judy Shaw, who takes over as president of the NAHT at the conference today, said: “It is the 21st century and our children deserve better.
“In the wee small hours I worry about our families and the difficult circumstances they face every day. Many children are only too aware of their family’s insecurities and finances.
“Could you concentrate on learning if your belly was rumbling, you hadn’t had restful sleep and you were cold?
“Of course, you couldn’t. I call upon our government to lift their eyes from their Brexit dossiers, look around them, and offer recognition, understanding, compassion and immediate support. Don’t leave it to schools to pick up the pieces alone.”
Ms Shaw, the headteacher of Tuel Lane Infant School, in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, told Tes earlier this week that schools were creating foodbanks in order to feed hungry pupils.
A government spokesperson said: “Tackling disadvantage will always be a priority for this government, and we’re taking action to make sure teachers don’t have to step in to tackle the issues highlighted by this survey.
“The best route out of poverty is work, and under this government we have seen record levels of employment. There are now around 3.5 million more people in work compared with 2010 - with over 1 million fewer workless households - but we recognise that some families need more support.
“That’s why we provide free school meals to more than one million of the country’s most disadvantaged children - and continue to spend over £95 billion a year on welfare to ensure every child has the best start in life.”
