Agenda item

This report provides members with an update on the work taking place York Hungry Minds project and on the development of the School Poverty Framework.

The Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, and the Assistant Director of Education and Skills presented their report and introduced to the meeting the representatives from the University of York.

The report was an update from the initial presentation to the Children, Culture and Communities Scrutiny Committee on 5 November 2025.

It was reported that a Fair Admissions Charter had now been adopted through working with the York Schools and Academies Board (YSAB), and the role of the School Poverty Officer was discussed; Amongst other actions, the School Poverty Officer would investigate trauma as a barrier in educational settings through the ARC framework (Attachment, Regulation, Competency).

The Executive Member for Children, Young People, and Education noted that any questions specifically relating to Annex C of the report which could not be answered at the meeting could be brought to members through a briefing.

The representatives from the Universities of York delivered their presentation on the qualitative evaluation findings as seen in Annex D to the report. It was reported that:

·       Interviews with staff and children took place between June and August 2024 in which the cost of living came up following analysis; for some children the free school meal was their only meal of the day.

·       There were difficulties in conducting comparative analysis between schools in terms of expanding the pilot, as the two schools currently involved were located in two of the most deprived areas of York.

·       The pilot led to children eating a more balanced diet with an improved readiness to learn.

·       Over 100 pupils were engaged in creative workshops of which analysis showed results echoed views of teachers.

·       Findings from both the qualitative and quantitative research supported and echoed each other.

The Assistant Director of Education and Skills noted that the York Hungry Minds Project was an enhancement to the national free school meals programme and the national programme had strict guidelines linked to childcare which York Hungry Minds was not bound by. York Hungry Minds also offered more bespoke arrangements for schools acknowledging that every school was different. The national programme was invitational and not mandatory and so there was a need for City of York Council (CYC) to do the most it can in to make the best use of both schemes available.

In response to questions from members, the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, Assistant Director of Education and Skills, and representatives from the University of York confirmed that:

·       Evidence of stigma was found through comments made on online spaces, but the project was generally seen as being very positive throughout the findings. Children sharing meals together improved inclusivity and children’s perceptions of having a shared space was beneficial for everyone.

·       The York Hungry Minds Committee had now been set up and would support future applications and funding for expansion of the programme. It was hoped that expansion could be improved in the upcoming year.

·       There was a desire to undertake a more longitudinal study in the near future to determine longer-term impacts.

·       Both schools included in the pilot had seen an improvement in attendance.

·       Funding for the project had historically been static but had recently increased substantially through donations.

Resolved: That the People Scrutiny Committee supported the work of both the York Hungry Minds Project and the School Poverty Framework and noted the benefits of both to tackling child poverty in York.

Reason: The work described would provide valuable support to low income families and ensure that more children are able to have barriers to educational achievement removed so that their long term outcomes are improved.

[The meeting adjourned from 6:46pm-6:48pm].