While most primary school children are looking forward to a summer of smartphones and games consoles, for some in Birmingham their first issue will be having enough to eat.
However, one Shard End school is working to make sure its children are supported right through the summer holidays.
Brownmead Primary Academy is based in one of the most deprived parts of Birmingham, and stories of families struggling to afford medicine or groceries are not uncommon.
Although Assistant Head Teacher Mr Newman dislikes the word ‘deprived’ he admits cost of living is hammering locals, leaving their school stretched to provide food parcels, transport and basics for families trying to get by.
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Hope is not lost, however, as the school teamed up with Tesco as part of the retailer’s Stronger Starts programme.
The scheme supports children and young people in various ways including improving school facilities or funding youth support.
Brownmead Primary Academy pupils enjoying Tesco strawberries -Credit:Husna Anjum
Fresh fruit was delivered to the school and planters were provided so children could learn how to go fruit and vegetables.
A holiday club will also run through summer to support students, with the school receiving a £200 gift card from Tesco to help the cost of the food. In all, 400 schools across the UK that are part of its term-time Fruit and Veg for Schools programme will receive this support, which focuses on schools in areas where there is a higher-than-average free school meal ratio.
As children gorged on strawberries in the sun, Mr Newman shared his concern over stretched resources for struggling families.
He said: “Shard End is in the bottom five per cent of ‘deprived’ areas, a lot of children don’t have the same start so these schemes give them that head start.
“Being able to provide families with fruit is a huge help. We purchase medicine for children if families cannot afford it, we had food banks in the past, sometimes families struggle to get kids to school so we help out.
Tesco Stronger Starts -Credit:Husna Anjum
“Schools are more like community hubs, we are like social workers, councillors, friends or support workers.”
Shard End is located in the Hodge Hill constituency, one of the most deprived in Birmingham, where in last year’s general elections locals blasted crime, speeding and littering.
Recent figures from the Department of Education revealed parents were spending £442 on average for secondary school kit, and £343 for primary school.
A dire situation when 46 per cent of Birmingham’s children are living in poverty.
Mr Newman continued: “Money is tight and you’d think investing in the right things at the right time will have an impact for years to come.
“When you have staff you cannot replace you lose the ability to provide that extra pair of hands or ears to listen.
“The more you cut down the harder it becomes, the need is growing but support is harder.”
Tesco staff provided planters, soil and fruit for the whole school including strawberries, pineapples, apples, oranges and grapes.
A group of largely Year 6 children taking part in the project included Beau, 11, Ana-Julia, 11, Ghazal, 11, Nora, 10 and Seb, 8.
They praised the healthy impact of supplying schools with fresh fruit, they also noted how free fruit helped families who struggled to afford food.
The girls believed schools could donate clothes, start food charities or donate to food banks.
Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, said: “Too often, families with too little support during the holidays worry about their children’s physical and mental health, particularly if they’re not getting the good food every child deserves.
“If we all pull together over the summer, whether that’s popping a few tins into a food collection point, picking up a food donation bag in our stores or rounding up our grocery bill, we can make a difference to the lives of thousands of children, who, without support, could have a tough summer holiday.”