For many families there is simply nothing left for them to cut back on, no savings they can make. Teachers are deeply worried for many of the pupils they teach, says Dr Patrick Roach
A new school year should bring hope and excitement for pupils, their families and teachers. The opportunity for pupils to expand their learning, make new friends, take part in trips, groups and clubs and for parents and teachers to see their children grow and develop academically and socially.
But for many families, teachers and school leaders this academic year and the change of the season it marks is filled instead with anxiety and fear as they increasingly struggle to cope with meeting the rising costs of food, fuel and energy bills as the days get darker and colder.
The scale of the cost of living crisis on pupils and their families has been laid bare in research we have conducted with teachers and school leaders (NASUWT, 2022).
