We want to see every child thrive

CHELTENHAM rightly has a reputation as a beautiful town with good schools and real opportunity for its young people.

Yet that is not the whole picture. Too many of Cheltenham’s children have been excluded from school and as a council we wanted to know why.

To find out what was going on, Cheltenham Borough Council commissioned a report from Gloucestershire County Council.

The result presented a stark picture of a town where far too many of our children are failing in health and education, going hungry and at serious risk of exploitation by gangs.

It cannot be right that in 2019, some children are prevented from going to school through period poverty where sanitary protection is too expensive.

Nor can it be right that in some homes a free school meal is the only meal a child will have.

The free school meals figures show stark contrasts.

Overall, the town does well, but in individual areas the needs are obvious.

The report showed some areas of Cheltenham have significant problems. There is a significant link between entitlement to free school meals, school exclusion and crime.

As a council, we wanted to know why and how we could change things for the better. We also wanted to understand the causes and how the council could make a difference.

We have been working with a range of partners to see how we can change children’s life chances for the better.

Last week saw the launch of No Child Left Behind, a year-long programme of activities, information sharing, innovative programmes and new opportunities for our children from the most deprived areas to help improve lives and life chances.

The year will involve everything from growing your own vegetables, to cooking, learning new skills and opportunities to try things new.

We want to see every child thrive.

If you can help, please get in touch. Councillor Flo Clucas Cabinet Member Healthy Lifestyles