More than half of school leaders in England are seeing more pupils who cannot afford a meal at lunchtime yet are not eligible for free school meals, according to a survey.
Research by the Sutton Trust, an educational charity, found clear signs that the cost of living crisis was increasingly affecting young people’s education, with a growing number of pupils arriving at school tired, cold and hungry.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of state school teachers who took part in the poll said they had seen an increase in the number of pupils who were tired or unable to concentrate, while more than half (54%) said more children were coming to school without adequate clothing, such as a warm winter coat.
More than two-thirds (67%) have students with behaviour issues, 38% said they were seeing growing numbers of children coming to school hungry, and 17% reported an increase in families asking to be referred to food banks.
