NEU Teachers share stark and harrowing experiences of children living in poverty

We know that growing child poverty is affecting children’s learning, with school and education staff increasingly providing essentials of daily life to support children’s ability to learn in school. In the constituency of Wansbeck in Northumberland the number of children living in poverty is significantly higher than the national average and is a direct result of austerity. The NEU in collaboration with the MP for Wansbeck, Ian Lavery, has produced a joint report on Child Poverty and Education in the area.

Many NEU members working in Wansbeck shared their experiences with the Union, painting a stark and disturbing picture about the levels of poverty children are suffering, including children who are clearly suffering from hunger, turning up to school in insufficient clothing (no winter coat or winter shoes in extreme weather) or no suitable PE clothing. Examples of items provided by teachers include food, books, clothing and sanitary products. The scenarios of a mother keeping her child home from school due to the shame of not being able to supply a bucket and spade for a school trip to the beach, and a child wearing her grandmother’s shoes, are particularly upsetting.
Speaking at the launch of the report NEU Regional Secretary Mike McDonald said: It is nothing short of a national disgrace that as one of the wealthiest nations in the world so many of our young people are living in poverty. Across the country a third of children are officially poor but in the North East that figure is significantly higher. Indeed, in parts of Wansbeck constituency it is a staggering 46% and that is why the National Education Union is collaborating with Ian Lavery MP in highlighting the negative impact of poverty on the educational experience and attainment of our children.

Some of the testimonies from our members make for sobering reading but despite the shocking nature of what has been revealed in this report, perhaps the saddest thing is that the results do not surprise us. If we are indeed the fifth richest country in the world, how can it be that children in areas such as Wansbeck are suffering from such levels of poverty? The impact this has on their learning is immense, as proven by our survey results which indicate that behavioural issues, concentration issues and attendance problems are all commonplace in the community. This is a cycle we must break.”

Read more about the findings of the Wansbeck Child Poverty Report, or if you would like to share your own experiences and concerns about child poverty in your school contact northern@neu.org.uk