Decade of free school meals boosts children’s health and learning

A council is celebrating 10 years of providing free school meals for all primary school children in the borough.

Southwark council has said children’s health and learning has improved in the borough after a decade of free school meals.

Since the scheme started, the council reported obesity among reception children has gone down by 9.3 per cent and 5.6 per cent among year six children.

The council also reported its schools have gone from joint bottom in London for Ofsted ratings to 97 per cent Ofsted rated good or outstanding.

Jessica Calnan, Assistant Headteacher at Alboin Primary School, in Alboin street, Rotherhithe, said: “At Albion, we feel fortunate to have received free school meals for the last 10 years. 

“We have seen over time that well-nourished children remain focused during their afternoon lessons and the benefits to families are clear in the current cost of living crisis.”

In Southwark 38 per cent of children live in poverty. 

The current household income threshold for government-funded free school meals – £7,400 – excludes many children in the borough whose families are struggling financially.

The council has announced that this school year it will fund all secondary school children whose parents receive Universal Credit but miss out on free school meals because they earn above the threshold.

The money comes from savings made from the Mayor of London’s funding package to fund free school meals for all primary school children in London.

 Councillor Kieron Williams, leader of Southwark council, said: “It’s been a decade of doing the right thing for our children. 

“The millions of free healthy school meals we’ve provided for all our primary and nursery school children haven’t just prevented hunger, they’ve boosted children’s health and learning too.”

 Pictured top: Alboin Primary School student (Picture: Southwark council)