Giving all children free school meals can improve relationships between families and schools because teachers no longer have to chase parents for lunch money, new London research suggests.
Researchers analysed responses from London schools that have offered free lunches to all children since before the Mayor’s London-wide scheme started in September.
They found previously unexplored benefits of the scheme, which include greater “financial and psychological security” for parents, improved nutrition and school engagement and a reduction in stigma along with changed eating habits.
Giving all children free food regardless of their family income also allows parents to invest in more time with their families, the report suggests.
The report, by the Child Poverty Action Group and the National Education Union is based on interviews from six London primary schools.
The report said that taken together, these positive impacts form a ‘universalism multiplier’ – meaning the benefits of universal entitlement represent more than the sum of their parts.
The boroughs of Southwark, Newham, Islington, Westminster and Tower Hamlets were the first to offer universal free school meals to primary pupils.
All London primary schools are now offering free school meals to all children after Mayor Sadiq Khan announced a one-year London-wide programme which began in September.
Speaking about improved home/school relationships, one member of school staff quoted in the report said: “School lunch debt was a very common problem before and we used to have to spend a long time chasing parents for money for school meals. Not having to chase this has helped the relationships we have with parents and it’s a much nicer atmosphere now.”
They added: “It has definitely meant that relationships between parents and the school are stronger. It’s a very difficult thing in a school to be chasing someone for money because relationships are so important. You need to have the best possible relationship with the parents and students at the school and that’s very difficult to do when you are asking people for money who don’t have much.”
Speaking about financial and psychological security, a parent who was surveyed said: “This measure helps all families at a time we are all impacted by the cost-of-living crisis and rising bills, whetherwe are poor or middle class, Free School Meals massively help reduce stress of spending.”
Another parent quoted in the report spoke about the benefits of improved nutrition for their child. They said: “I wouldn’t be able to provide a hot lunch and I would struggle to provide a nourishing, varied cold lunch. Right now, they are exposed to different foodsthan we have at home and it’s good for their personal and social development as well.”
Alison Garnham, chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said: “Our research shows there’s a ripple effect when all children get free school meals. They are a financial lifeline for families – with the savings spent on household essentials as well as children’s activities – but the benefits go beyond money.”
She added: “Kids get the nutrition they need to learn and thrive - no child stands out as poor in the lunch hall and families feel more secure in their relationship with their school because neither parent nor child is worrying about dinner money debt. Parents say free lunches even encourage their kids to try new foods. All politicians must commit to universal free school meals because for parents, children and schools it’s a win-win.”
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the NEU, said: “The findings in this report show how important it will be to understand the full benefits of the Mayor of London’s universal free school meals programme. Poverty and financial hardship often leave parents and children feeling stigmatised and excluded, and the cost-of-living crisis has left many more feeling anxious about their finances.
The preliminary findings in this report suggest that universal entitlement to free school meals in primary schools may be an important lever to tackle stigma, reduce parents' anxiety, improve relationships between schools and parents, and offer children a rich and inclusive educational experience. It’s an experience we should aspire tofor every child.”
