Keeping children fed at Christmas
A DERBY primary school has been preparing food hampers for its pupils.
The packages are an extension of Ashgate Primary School’s free school meals, and will ensure that all children eat this Christmas.
The drive to feed the nation’s children skyrocketed after Marcus Rashford’s famous online campaign and the school tweeted the Manchester United and England footballer with its thanks, sharing the images of what has been achieved.
Ashgate Primary School, in Ashbourne Road, Derby, has with the support of its school meal providers Chartwells, packed and prepared 130 packages in one day.
Parents are collecting the packages in staggered slots, where staff will add the finishing touches and fresh produce as they are collected.
In total 130 hampers are being provided.
Ashgate Primary School has a significantly larger than average Free School Meals ratio with on average 50% of families benefiting from their services each year - this excludes the offer of free universal meals for all children in the infant classes.
Mrs Warburton, school business manager, and Claire Brady of Chartwells, organised the logistics of the hampers, which in itself “presented challenges”, ensuring that the they were “ample, nutritious and at the same time providing treats for the children”.
Peter Seargent, head teacher at Ashgate, said: “Parents have been very appreciative of the efforts and have thanked us repeatedly.
“One parent commented that ‘this is a lifesaver for us, I cannot thank the school enough’, ‘I didn’t expect all this, wow, thank you so, so much’.
“For those unable to travel to school because of isolation, or where they have no means of collecting multiple parcels the school has made deliveries.
“[It was] a proud moment and one that reflects the importance of schools as more than just educators, but also as the vehicles for support of the most vulnerable - a very emotional day, one that reflects the extended role schools have in supporting the most vulnerable.
“It cannot be underestimated the need to support vulnerable families at this time. For too many, providing at Christmas means making difficult choices such as turning on the heating, putting shoes on feet or putting food on the table.
“We are pleased that the extension to financial support for schools, triggered by Marcus Rashford’s high profile intervention, enables us to help out in this way.
“Our school hamper initiative demonstrates how important schools are in the community and how much more they provide beyond the curriculum”.
The school provides a community with significantly above average entitlement to free school meals.
And as a result have worked hard to ensure that the children and their families receive a range of nutritious foods, a meals menu as well as additional chocolate treats for the festive period.