Magic Breakfast charity has today published a YouGov survey of teachers, highlighting the impact of hunger on children’s learning during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in schools with high levels of disadvantage. The survey was commissioned by a group of food companies and distributors which support Magic Breakfast through gift in kind donations – Arla, Heinz, Kellogg’s, New York Bakery Co.
The survey found that:
- 67% of London teachers surveyed anticipate there will be an increase in the number of children arriving at school hungry in September 2020, compared to September 2019. In London schools with above average levels of disadvantage, this rises to 71% of teachers.
- 68% of London teachers surveyed think that hunger will harm efforts to catch children up on the learning they missed out on during school closures. This rises to 85% of London teachers in schools with above average levels of disadvantage.
The survey also asked teachers what policies they support to tackle child hunger. London teachers overwhelmingly want firm action taken to ensure children at risk of hunger have access to a free school breakfast. The survey found that:
- 88% of London teachers surveyed support a nationwide programme to ensure children at risk of hunger have access to a free breakfast during the school term.
- 76% of London teachers surveyed believe that school breakfasts will help children catch up on learning. This rises to 85% of London teachers in schools with above average levels of disadvantage.
These findings reinforce previous research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Education Endowment Foundation which found that Year 2 pupils in schools with a universal, free school breakfast provision made two months’ additional academic progress in one year, compared to children in schools with no such breakfast provision.
The survey also found disadvantaged children in London have been worst affected by school closures.
- 92% of teachers surveyed from London schools with above average levels of disadvantage think coronavirus has negatively affected their pupils’ educational attainment, compared to 80% of all teachers surveyed.
- 83% of teachers surveyed from London schools with above average levels of disadvantage think coronavirus has negatively affected their pupils’ physical health and wellbeing, compared to 63% of all teachers surveyed.
- 88% of teachers surveyed from London schools with above average levels of disadvantage think coronavirus has negatively affected their pupils’ mental and emotional wellbeing, compared to 79% of all teachers surveyed.
In light of the survey results, Magic Breakfast’s CEO, Alex Cunningham, has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, to call for urgent action on school breakfasts. Magic Breakfast is calling on the Government to bring forward school breakfast legislation to guarantee schools with high levels of disadvantage the long term, sustained support they need to provide free school breakfasts to children at risk of hunger.
This call has been backed by Amazon, Arla, Heinz, Kellogg’s, and the New York Bakery Co. who have been working with Magic Breakfast to get breakfast food to children throughout the pandemic, whether they are at school or under lockdown at home.
Magic Breakfast’s CEO, Alex Cunningham, said: “After months of school closures, it is deeply worrying that so many children are expected to return to school too hungry to catch up on the learning they have missed out on. Without Government action, these children will fall even further behind and the education attainment gap will continue to widen. During the pandemic, we have rightly applauded teachers who have gone above and beyond for their pupils. Now we must act to address their concerns. Legislation is urgently needed to guarantee children at risk of hunger have access to a free healthy school breakfast, unlocking hours of learning and enabling them to reach their full potential”.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “It is simply unacceptable in a city as wealthy as London that there are many parents who are struggling to afford enough food for their children. We know that the impact of COVID-19 is putting many more families under financial pressure and it’s vital that the Government does much more to support them. I urge Ministers to listen to our teachers and Magic Breakfast charity and ensure that no child has to go through their school day hungry.”
