Association of Teachers and Lecturers Survey

Following on from the publication of the government’s child poverty and social mobility strategies last week I thought I’d draw your attention to an interesting survey conducted by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. Nearly 80% of education staff who took part said that there are pupils at their schools who are living in poverty. I thought it was worth highlighting as it gives an indication of the size of the poverty problem in the UK and it brings in to focus the potential ramification of the current programme of government cutbacks.

The survey also showed widespread support amongst education staff for the ring fencing of the early intervention grant (which gives financial support to children from disadvantaged backgrounds) and teh widening of teh free school meals criteria.