Teachers are using their own money to help pupils and families with bills, food and clothes in the cost of living crisis. Ryan Evans, deputy head of Ysgol Nantgwyn, Rhondda Cynon Taf, said the school has even bought a bed for one family.
The all-age school in Penygraig, which has children aged three to 16, has an emergency fund for pupils but teachers have also used their own cash. Mr Evans said some families did not have enough money to buy food and staff have also given them money to pay for electricity.
"We have had some families who have struggled with pay as you go electricity meters and some pupils didn't have electricity at home. Parents are very open with us when they are struggling," he said.
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"We have supported a number of families in the community since Covid with food, clothes and even supplied one family with a bed. We are trying to remove barriers to learning. We have also helped pay bills."
Mr Evans said times are the hardest he has seen for families during his 13 years in the profession. To help struggling families he has organised a fundraising 24-hour trek up Pen-y-Fan.
The school also has a food pantry pupils can go to and uniform recycling. Money raised from the trek will go to the school's emergency fund for pupils.
Mr Evans feared things will get worse for families this winter with fuel bills and other costs rising. He said some families were already choosing between heating and eating last winter.
"With the most recent news about mortgage adjustments and the cost of living that will increase pressure on families. Some of our families will face the choice of heating or eating. Definitely this is the worst winter I've seen in my career, from an economic perspective and support is needed.
"It's one of those times in life where you either stand by and let it happen or do something about it. The money raised from the trek will be an emergency fund for families to buy clothing, shoes, emergency utility bills and top up meters.
"What we are doing is removing barriers to learning. Parents are very open with us when they are struggling and we want to help."
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