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The vast majority of schools are providing uniforms, clothing and food for children – including supplying free school meals to non-eligible pupils – as the cost of living crisis continues to hit families hard

A staggering 95% of mainstream schools and 87% of special schools have provided uniform and clothing items to pupils, a new research report has revealed.

Published by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), the report also finds that 90% of schools are subsidising extra-curricular activities for some pupils while 70% report providing food to pupils via food parcels, food banks, food vouchers, or subsidised breakfasts (Lucas et al, 2023).

Some schools said they were even providing free school meals to pupils who were not eligible for the funding.

The study involved some 2 600 teachers and senior leaders. Other less common examples of support being offered by a minority of schools included ‘warm banks’, support with school transport costs, and facilities for washing clothes.