Free school meals in Newham sees take-up exceed 75%

12th October 2009, 11:37am

Free school meals, which are being offered to Newham primary school pupils in a trail-blazing government scheme, are proving to be a huge success.

Latest figures just released reveal the current uptake has soared to a borough-wide average of around 75% – compared with 51% of children last year who were either having a free school meal or paying for it.

Twenty schools now have over 80% take-up, two of which are at 98%.

There has also been a knock-on effect on secondary schools. Newham has already achieved an school meal uptake increase of about 15% compared with the same time last year.

Newham is the only London borough to have been chosen for the two-year pilot, which started at the beginning of this term in September.

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: "We are one of the country's poorest boroughs and many families have felt extra pressure on their budgets during the recession. This is a great way of both putting money in their pockets and of improving children's health and fitness - one of our top priorities - to boot. We are with them every step of the way."

Councillor Quintin Peppiatt, Newham Council's executive member for children and young people, added: "The connection between good diet and good learning and behaviour is real and it's been well researched. And this is about giving some of our kids and their families a real boost and a real chance in life. They are Newham's future and we need to look after them."

Related Articles:

• 09 Nov 2009 - Colin Jackson reveals Britain's favourite school meal
• 28 Sep 2009 - 'Free school meals for all would be a vote winner', says GMB union
• 28 Sep 2009 - Wakefield schools join Twitter to describe what they eat
• 25 Sep 2009 - Hampshire makes it easier to apply for free school meals
• 04 Sep 2009 - Why free school meal trials could be a cause for concern
• 03 Sep 2009 - Free school meal trial begins today for primary school children
• 28 Aug 2009 - One in five families miss out on free school meals
• 14 Aug 2009 - Recession funding call over free school meals
• 12 Aug 2009 - A look at school meals across the pond
• 11 Aug 2009 - More pupils now eligible for free school meals
• 06 Aug 2009 - Somerset schools to tweet what they eat

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