York free school meal pilots extended to ten additional primary schools
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Over 170,000 free breakfasts will be available to primary school children in York over the next three years thanks to a major expansion of the city’s free school meals initiative. |
Funded by the York Hungry Minds campaign, free school breakfast pilots will be rolled out to invited children at the following schools from the summer term:
York Hungry Minds was set up in a bid to address disadvantage and the impact of the cost of living crisis, in response to national evidence suggesting that providing children with healthy, nourishing food can make a significant difference to school attendance, concentration and their physical and mental wellbeing. The campaign is part of the Council’s wider commitment to ensure that residents start good health and wellbeing as early as possible in their lives – part of the Council’s four year plan – One City for all. The schools will join three others across the city which are already offering free school meals, with children in years 3-6* being able to access free lunches at Westfield Community Primary School, and free breakfasts available at Burton Green Primary School, and Fishergate Primary School. The pilots have been made possible thanks to funding from City of York Council (Westfield lunches) and donations to the York Community Fund’s York Hungry Minds Appeal (breakfast pilots).
Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, and Chair of the York Hungry Minds Steering Group, explained: “Being able to offer free school meals to children at ten more primary schools across the city is a fantastic achievement for the York Hungry Minds campaign and for York as a whole. “Local and national evidence shows the positive impact universal free school meals have on pupils’ attendance and behaviour. We hope that our work and the generous donations of people and organisations across the city will help to ensure that all our children have a great, healthy start to their school lives. “I’d like to thank everyone who has donated in whatever way, for supporting this pioneering initiative. The York Hungry Minds campaign really is helping to change children’s lives.” Matt Brown, Headteacher at Osbaldwick Primary Academy, said: “We are thrilled that Osbaldwick Primary Academy has been selected to join the York Hungry Minds pilot next term. Providing a nutritious meal at no cost will ensure every child is ready to learn and thrive, whilst offering vital support to our families during these challenging times.” More details on the research findings are available at www.york.gov.uk/free-school-meals/york-hungry-minds You can find out more about how to make donations to support York’s free school meals pilots at Two Ridings Community Foundation. |
