Brownmead Primary Academy is based in one of the most deprived parts of Birmingham<\/a>, and stories of families struggling to afford medicine or groceries are not uncommon.<\/p>\n Although Assistant Head Teacher Mr Newman dislikes the word ‘deprived’ he admits cost of living is hammering locals<\/a>, leaving their school stretched to provide food parcels, transport and basics for families trying to get by.<\/p>\n Read more: <\/b>West Midlands schools providing free uniforms as parents say ‘what a relief’<\/a><\/p>\n Hope is not lost, however, as the school teamed up with Tesco<\/a> as part of the retailer’s Stronger Starts programme<\/a>.<\/p>\n The scheme supports children and young people in various ways including improving school facilities or funding youth support.<\/p>\n Brownmead Primary Academy pupils enjoying Tesco strawberries -Credit:Husna Anjum<\/p>\n Fresh fruit was delivered to the school and planters were provided so children could learn how to go fruit and vegetables.<\/p>\n A holiday club will also run through summer to support students, with the school receiving a \u00a3200 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.<\/p>\n As children gorged on strawberries in the sun, Mr Newman shared his concern over stretched resources for struggling families.<\/p>\n He said: “Shard End is in the bottom five per cent of ‘deprived’ areas<\/a>, a lot of children don’t have the same start so these schemes give them that head start.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n Tesco Stronger Starts -Credit:Husna Anjum<\/p>\n “Schools are more like community hubs, we are like social workers, councillors, friends or support workers.”<\/p>\n Shard End is located in the Hodge Hill constituency<\/a>, one of the most deprived in Birmingham, where in last year’s general elections locals blasted crime, speeding and littering<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Brownmead](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/b40c1f4ccf8782520354b91900e234b3.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Tesco](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/9fe2630f88c9c49139d660736a6d16db.jpeg\"\/)
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