The staff at Surrey Square primary school immediately noticed the difference when free school meals were introduced.
“The pupils are able to concentrate, they are able to focus and they are not thinking about being hungry. They are able to crack on with learning.
“Food shouldn’t be an obstacle to children. It’s not their fault,” said head teacher Nicola Noble.
The school in South London is able to provide free school meals for all its 480 pupils thanks to Southwark Council – one of the few councils in England to fund this service.
“We see the difference it makes for every child to have a hot, nutritious meal in the middle of the day,” Ms Noble said.
Free school meals also help parents.
“Families will save around £440 a year. If you have multiple children that saves a lot of money, which enables families to use that money in different ways, it may be a heating bill or paying for their child to go to a club,” she added.
One in four pupils are living in temporary accommodation, which means they may not have access to a kitchen. A school meal can be their only hot food.
“It’s putting the provision in place so it’s an even playing field for every child,” Ms Noble added.
