This episode considers the impact that poverty has on children, families and education and what schools can do about it, offering practical advice and ideas for school leaders and teachers
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This episode considers the impact that poverty has on children, families and education – and what schools can do to address these consequences.

We look at the national picture of increasing child poverty (4.3 million children and rising live below the poverty line), the causes of poverty, the barriers it creates to education, and the impact of Covid.

We discuss why free school meals/Pupil Premium is a poor proxy for poverty and how schools can better understand the (often hidden) poverty in their families and communities.

We then focus on a range of practical ideas and advice for supporting pupils and families living in poverty and consider how we can break down the many barriers that poverty creates across our communities.

Our expert panel:

  • Debi Bailey, CEO, NEAT Academy Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne (comprising six primary and secondary schools).
  • Sean Harris is a postdoctoral researcher investigating school-based poverty-proofing of curriculums and a teacher & middle leader at Bede Academy in Northumberland.
  • Kate Anstey is the project lead for the Cost of the School Day programme which is run by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)

You can listen to this episode of the SecEd Podcast above. To hear other SecEd podcasts, or to subscribe for free to new editions, search for 'The SecEd Podcast' in your podcast streaming application of choice. Or visit www.sec-ed.co.uk/knowledge-bank/podcasts/

For details about The SecEd Podcast, or to suggest future topics, email editor Pete Henshaw at editor@sec-ed.co.uk