A Multi-Academy Trust with schools in some of the most disadvantaged parts of Bedford is to give free uniforms to its pupils in response to the cost of living crisis.
HEART Academies Trust is offering a blazer and tie to all 260 of its pupils starting in Year 7 this September and a school jumper for the 180 pupils starting Reception class.
The Trust, based in Bedford, will also give a free breakfast to all staff and a free lunch to those on playground duty.
The Trust will repackage surplus food and offer it to vulnerable families in the community, as well as give any unused food to the local food bank and the Salvation Army.
David Morris, Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, said: “We have heard distressing stories of families in our community who can no longer afford to feed and clothe their children.
“The impact of the cost of living crisis is acutely felt here. Our community is at the heart of everything we do and we want to help in any way we can. Our children cannot be successful learners if they are not clothed and fed.”
A parent living in Bedford at one of HEART’s schools, who did not want to be named, said: “The food offered at school is like a safety net during those weeks when it’s hard to make ends meet.”
The Institute for Government think tank has found that the cost of living crisis will disproportionately affect households on lower incomes. Its research shows that, although the poorest tenth of households spend an average of 4.8% of their income on gas, a tenth of this group spend 12% or more of their income on gas. Energy price increases will already be affecting this group more than others, and the April increase has compounded this further.
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