Latest news with #SpringburnAcademy
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Councillor says pilot to feed poverty-hit Glasgow secondary pupils ‘is not enough'
A PROMINENT councillor is calling on the Scottish Government to commit to long-term funding to ensure free school meals are rolled out to every S1 to S4 secondary school pupil across the city. Paul Carey BEM says choosing just four Glasgow secondaries for a £200,000 pilot project that will see 400 youngsters given a healthy lunch means that many living in poverty elsewhere will be left hungry. Castlemilk, Drumchapel and Lochend high schools, as well as pupils at Springburn Academy, have been chosen to participate, with those whose parents are carers or in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment qualifying. Cllr Carey says the scheme does not go far enough to help those in Glasgow living on the breadline. He said: 'The reality is that we need to secure better funding from the Scottish Government to ensure that no child is going hungry at school, especially those living in areas of high deprivation and unemployment. 'I want to see the initiative extended to every high school in Glasgow, including pupils in fourth year. We need to ensure that as many youngsters as possible are getting at least one healthy hot feed every weekday. 'We know how important it is to fuel youngsters with nutritious food and for many this might be the only decent meal they get. It's important that this is offered to every youngster from S1 to S4.' Paul Carey BEM (Image: supplied) Councillor Carey, Labour's elected member for Drumchapel and Anniesland, says that working poverty is very real for many families in his constituency who are struggling to make ends meet. He added: 'Drumchapel has one of the highest poverty rates in Glasgow. Parents here are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, pay bills and put clothes on their back They often have no option but to turn to cheap, unhealthy foods. Clearly the Scottish Government knows that this is an issue, that why this pilot is being tested in areas with high deprivation. 'I welcome the scheme being rolled out at Drumchapel High, however we need to ensure this doesn't come to an end when the funding runs out next year. Kids can access free school meals from P1 to P5, but what happens when they go to high school and are not eligible for a free lunch.' At a full council meeting last week, Councillor Christina Cannon, convenor of education and early years, advised members that the pilot will last for one year and that money had been awarded to eight local authorities across the Cannon said: 'Of course, we want everyone in these schools who are eligible at S1 to S3 to take up the free meals on offer. 'This is great news for Glasgow and families in the city because we know school meals are essential for fuelling our pupils' learning and allowing them to flourish. 'We are continuing to put children, young people and families first and this investment will also complement the commitment the SNP group made in our budget in February this year to deliver free school meals to all primary six pupils, starting in August this year, then expanding to all primary seven pupils in August 2026.' Speaking about the scheme, First Minister John Swinney, said: 'It's a measure designed to tackle the cost-of-living challenges families face, to tackle child poverty and to make sure that children have good health, nutritious food to strengthen their ability to learn in school.' 'The free school meals programme is key in our national mission to eradicate child poverty, which saves families who take up the offer around £450 per eligible child per year. 'This next phase of the rollout will ensure that this offer is available to more families across the country. 'We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and nutritious meal can have on a pupil's learning and achievement in school.'
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow councillor wants commitment to extend £200k project
Paul Carey BEM says choosing just four Glasgow secondaries for a £200,000 pilot project that will see 400 youngsters given a healthy lunch means that many living in poverty elsewhere will be left hungry. Castlemilk, Drumchapel and Lochend high schools, as well as pupils at Springburn Academy, have been chosen to participate, with those whose parents are carers or in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment qualifying. Cllr Carey says the scheme does not go far enough to help those in Glasgow living on the breadline. He said: 'The reality is that we need to secure better funding from the Scottish Government to ensure that no child is going hungry at school, especially those living in areas of high deprivation and unemployment. 'I want to see the initiative extended to every high school in Glasgow, including pupils in fourth year. We need to ensure that as many youngsters as possible are getting at least one healthy hot feed every weekday. 'We know how important it is to fuel youngsters with nutritious food and for many this might be the only decent meal they get. It's important that this is offered to every youngster from S1 to S4.' Paul Carey BEM (Image: supplied) Councillor Carey, Labour's elected member for Drumchapel and Anniesland, says that working poverty is very real for many families in his constituency who are struggling to make ends meet. He added: 'Drumchapel has one of the highest poverty rates in Glasgow. Parents here are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, pay bills and put clothes on their back They often have no option but to turn to cheap, unhealthy foods. Clearly the Scottish Government knows that this is an issue, that why this pilot is being tested in areas with high deprivation. 'I welcome the scheme being rolled out at Drumchapel High, however we need to ensure this doesn't come to an end when the funding runs out next year. Kids can access free school meals from P1 to P5, but what happens when they go to high school and are not eligible for a free lunch.' At a full council meeting last week, Councillor Christina Cannon, convenor of education and early years, advised members that the pilot will last for one year and that money had been awarded to eight local authorities across the country. READ NEXT: Community rallies amid fears Glasgow branch could be axed Cllr Cannon said: 'Of course, we want everyone in these schools who are eligible at S1 to S3 to take up the free meals on offer. 'This is great news for Glasgow and families in the city because we know school meals are essential for fuelling our pupils' learning and allowing them to flourish. 'We are continuing to put children, young people and families first and this investment will also complement the commitment the SNP group made in our budget in February this year to deliver free school meals to all primary six pupils, starting in August this year, then expanding to all primary seven pupils in August 2026.' Speaking about the scheme, First Minister John Swinney, said: 'It's a measure designed to tackle the cost-of-living challenges families face, to tackle child poverty and to make sure that children have good health, nutritious food to strengthen their ability to learn in school.' 'The free school meals programme is key in our national mission to eradicate child poverty, which saves families who take up the offer around £450 per eligible child per year. 'This next phase of the rollout will ensure that this offer is available to more families across the country. 'We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and nutritious meal can have on a pupil's learning and achievement in school.'
Glasgow Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow secondary pupils to get free school meals by August
This expansion, part of the Scottish Government's initiative to tackle child poverty, will benefit S1 to S3 pupils in eight local authority areas. Eligible pupils—those receiving the Scottish Child Payment—will be provided with healthy meals during the school day. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) READ MORE: University staff to ballot for strike action over job cuts This latest development will bring the total number of pupils receiving free school meals in Scotland to over 360,000. The initiative will be trialled in nearly 60 schools across Aberdeen, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Fife, Glasgow, Moray, North Ayrshire, Shetland and South Lanarkshire. The trial, commencing in August 2025, will be supported by a £3 million investment. First Minister John Swinney announced the expansion during a visit to Springburn Academy in North Glasgow, where an additional 140 pupils stand to benefit. (Image: Jane Barlow) READ MORE: Much-loved Glasgow venue to close temporarily - here's why He said: "The free school meals programme is key in our national mission to eradicate child poverty, which saves families who take up the offer around £450 per eligible child per year. "This next phase of the rollout will ensure that this offer is available to more families across the country." He added: "We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and nutritious meal can have on a pupil's learning and achievement in school. "This demonstrates how important the programme is in our efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap in Scotland, ensuring that every child is given an opportunity to succeed in education regardless of their background." (Image: Jane Barlow) READ MORE: Waspi women hail 'major breakthrough' in fight against UK Government (Image: Jane Barlow) The Scottish Government will continue to work with local authorities to establish the trial approach, which will be independently reviewed to inform the future development of the programme. The First Minister also highlighted additional support provided by the Scottish Government to alleviate the cost of the school day, including their £14.2 million School Uniform Clothing Grant and their investment in the £1 billion Scottish Attainment Challenge. Schools that have the capacity to deliver additional meals for this trial were put forward by local authorities.
STV News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Free school meals rolled out to secondary pupils for first time, Swinney says
Free school lunches will be provided to some youngsters in Scotland's secondary schools for the first time in August – although First Minister John Swinney has said making the meals available to all would be 'desirable'. The First Minister said that 'in principle' the Scottish Government supported universal free school meals, saying he would 'prefer that to be the case'. But he added: 'I have got to live within the resources available to me.' Swinney said: 'Of course universal provision is desirable, but I have to deliver policy proposals within the resources the government has got available to it.' His comments came as the Scottish Government confirmed that from August a number of S1 to S3 pupils will be eligible for free school meals – with the First Minister saying that while there is already 'extensive free school meal provision' for primary school children 'this is the first time we have gone into the secondary sector'. The Scottish Government is investing £3 million in a trial project, which will see lunches provided for more than 6,000 high school students – taking the total of youngsters who can claim a free lunch to more than 360,000. The latest phase of the project will see lunches being provided for those students eligible for the Scottish Child Payment in almost 60 schools in eight local authority areas – Aberdeen, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (the Western Isles), Fife, Glasgow, Moray, North Ayrshire, Shetland, and South Lanarkshire. Swinney said the measure was about 'making sure that poverty is not an impediment to the achievement and the performance of young people'. The trial project will be independently reviewed, with the First Minister saying uptake would be considered, along with the 'beneficial impact of free school meals on the learning opportunities for young people'. The First Minister spoke about the 'targeted intervention' as he visited Springburn Academy in Glasgow, where he ate lunch with some of the students. About 140 pupils at the school could benefit from the free lunches when the trial project comes into being from August. Speaking about the scheme, Swinney said: 'It's a measure designed to tackle the cost-of-living challenges families face, to tackle child poverty and to make sure that children have good health, nutritious food to strengthen their ability to learn in school.' The First Minister added: 'The free school meals programme is key in our national mission to eradicate child poverty, which saves families who take up the offer around £450 per eligible child per year. 'This next phase of the rollout will ensure that this offer is available to more families across the country. 'We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and nutritious meal can have on a pupil's learning and achievement in school. 'This demonstrates how important the programme is in our efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap in Scotland, ensuring that every child is given an opportunity to succeed in education regardless of their background.' He continued: 'The Scottish Government will also continue its broader support to tackle the cost of the school day, including our £14.2 million School Uniform Clothing Grant and our investment in the £1 billion Scottish Attainment Challenge.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
23-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Free school meals ‘key' in Government's work to end child poverty
The Scottish Government is investing £3 million in a trial phase which will extend the provision of free school meals to S1 to S3 pupils who receive the Scottish child payment. More than 6000 secondary school students will be eligible for the meals from the start of the next school year – taking the total of youngsters who can claim a free lunch to more than 360,000. The latest phase of the project will see lunches being provided for eligible students in almost 60 schools in eight local authority areas – Aberdeen, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (the Western Isles), Fife, Glasgow, Moray, North Ayrshire, Shetland and South Lanarkshire from August 2025. READ MORE: Palestine Action to be proscribed as terrorist organisation, Yvette Cooper says The impact of this trial will be independently reviewed, with the Scottish Government adding that the results of this would help with the future development of any further phases of the free school meal programme. First Minister John Swinney highlighted the advantages of the scheme as he visited Springburn Academy in Glasgow, where some 140 pupils could benefit. Swinney said: 'The free school meals programme is key in our national mission to eradicate child poverty, which saves families who take up the offer around £450 per eligible child per year. (Image: PA Wires) 'This next phase of the rollout will ensure that this offer is available to more families across the country. 'We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and nutritious meal can have on a pupil's learning and achievement in school. 'This demonstrates how important the programme is in our efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap in Scotland, ensuring that every child is given an opportunity to succeed in education regardless of their background.' Swinney added: 'The Scottish Government will also continue its broader support to tackle the cost of the school day, including our £14.2 million school uniform clothing grant and our investment in the £1 billion Scottish attainment challenge.'
