Half of Scots teachers have helped out poorer pupils

Teachers are personally providing food and funding school uniforms for children living in poverty, research has revealed.

A survey of Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) members found more than half (51%) said they or colleagues had taken steps to help less-affluent pupils while 49% said their school had stepped in.

Responses ranged from providing food for children who are coming to school hungry, personally buying items of clothing to give to those who need them, organising foodbank donations and providing pupils with spending money for school trips and fairs.

The measures are against a backdrop of 60% of respondents stating they had seen an increase in the number of children attending their schools who are experiencing poverty.

More than half of the 288 people surveyed (53%) reported a rise in pupils coming to school with little or no food, snacks or money while 72% noted an increase in those without basic stationery, school bags and PE equipment.

Almost half (46%) said more pupils were unable to complete homework that required computer access at home.

Andrea Bradley, EIS assistant secretary for education and equality, said: “The results clearly underline that low-income poverty significantly blights the day-to-day educational experiences of the 260,000 children and young people now living in poverty in Scotland.”