York’s free school meals pilots reach 6-month milestone

School pupils at two primary schools in York are celebrating the six-month anniversary of an ambitious scheme to pilot free school meals for children in the city.

Pupils in key Stage 2 (years 3-6)* at Westfield Primary Community School started receiving free school lunches at the start of the year, thanks to funding from City of York Council as part of its commitment to work towards York becoming an anti-poverty city.

All pupils at Burton Green Primary School have been able to receive a free breakfast each morning since February, thanks to donations to the York Community Fund’s York Hungry Minds Appeal.
Evidence suggests that Universal Free School Meals both support children’s ability to learn and reduce health inequalities between disadvantaged children and their peers.

Head teacher at Burton Green Primary School, Ash McGann, highlighted the difference the healthy, free breakfasts are already making at the school, helping children to transition calmly from home to school and having a positive impact on attendance.

Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, said: “It’s fantastic to reach the 6-month milestone and I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to achieve in York by working in partnership.

“Supporting our residents during the cost of living crisis and tackling disadvantage are priorities for our administration and exploring the benefits of free school meals through these pilot projects is a key part of that commitment.

Cllr Bob Webb, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said,

“All the evidence suggests that providing children with healthy, nourishing food can make a significant difference to school attendance, concentration and their physical and mental wellbeing. While we recognise that there is more to do to roll this out to all our schools, the six month anniversary of the pilots is an important milestone. Thank you to all our partners across the city who’ve made this possible.”

The impact of the pilots will be evaluated by researchers from the Universities of Leeds and York, with results expected later this year.

The children have enjoyed wide ranging breakfast and lunch menus over the last six months, with tasty, nutritious food on offer each day.

Unsurprisingly, pizza is the children’s favourite lunch at Westfield, with 1,323 made for the lunchtime pilot since January. Pupils have eaten over 1,100 apples and over 49 stones of freshly made bread have been produced.

Children at Burton Green Primary have tucked into more than 600 pancakes, 275 bananas and drunk 540 glasses of apple juice as part of their healthy breakfasts.

To donate to York Hungry Minds visit
https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/appeal/york-hungry-minds/