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Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing
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Child of the North Report 2 is out now - An evidence-based plan for addressing poverty with and through schools

19 March 2024
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Photograph of school children with school dinners

The second report in a year-long series, co-lead authored by Wolfson Fellow Charmele Ayadurai – seeks to deliver a country that works for all children and young people, and sets out a new plan to take the battle to reduce child poverty inside the school gates.

An evidence-based plan for addressing poverty with and through schools argues that schools and nurseries are anchors in the most deprived communities and they should play a leading role in those areas with the worst child poverty.

With over four million children in the UK living in poverty – one million of them in the North of England –  the report highlights the negative impact that poverty is having on many children’s education, health, and future employment.

The report calls for:

  • A new Government plan to support schools to reduce the impact of poverty as a first step of a national plan to reduce child poverty
  • A targeted programme of funding to support schools in areas with the highest child poverty to co-ordinate services and provide support to reduce the impact of poverty on children
  • The targeted extension of Universal Free School Meals in schools with high levels of child poverty
  • A Child Poverty Unit in No. 10 and a Government Poverty Tsar to drive improvements in education for disadvantaged children
  • A national Scientific Advisory Group for Children to ensure evidence, evaluation, and data-sharing lie at the heart of the programme

The report is available to read here.

 

If you would like to get involved please visit our website and/or email wolfson@durham.ac.uk