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St Nicholas Church of England Primary Academy in Boston, Lincolnshire, has become more than just a school for its students. Head teacher Mrs. Booth and her dedicated staff go beyond the call of duty, providing essential support to families who face issues beyond the classroom. The school is situated in one of the most impoverished parts of Lincolnshire, facing multiple challenges such as debt, homelessness, and domestic violence. Teachers across the country have had to provide extra help to families with problems that extend beyond the classroom, according to a Teacher Tapp commissioned survey tool by BBC News, with financial hardship, housing, and mental health struggles among the most common.
At St. Nicholas, Mrs. Curtis, a learning mentor, prepares grab bags packed with emergency supplies for children who suddenly become homeless. A dozen pre-prepared bags, including bedtime stories, a teddy with the school’s emblem, and school uniforms, hang on pegs near the stationery cupboard. Besides the essentials handed out in the grab bags, the school provides a wide range of other help, from electricity meter cards to blankets. Mrs. Curtis is always keen to assist with whatever is needed, even searching for some pyjamas for the pupil in need.
Teachers at St Nicholas are also taking on other important responsibilities, like feeding pupils during non-school hours, providing financial aid to families, and helping children to brush their teeth regularly. Financial hardship, housing, and mental health struggles are among the most commonly addressed issues, with two-thirds (66%) of senior teachers saying their school provided food for pupils during non-school hours in the last 12 months, and approximately one in seven teachers (15%) spending money out of their own pockets to provide food to struggling families.
The school does not only provide extra support to pupils but to parents as well, offering parenting courses and budgeting classes. The recent cooking classes laid on for families with a free air-fryer for those who complete the course is another example of the school’s unique support system. For children who have a relative in prison, the school sets aside time during the school week, allowing them to see their relatives via a video link.
According to a government spokesperson, schools’ funding is set to increase by £2
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