Mp’s asking for £700 for FSM children

[Struggling2020]

Thoughts on this?

news.sky.com/story/amp/coronavirus-school-closures-will-worsen-north-south-education-divide-say-mps-11980290

Maybe I’m bitter (actually I AM bitter) but it’s not just the poorest kids who are struggling. In fact my friends on full benefits are the most secure right now out of all of us, they can focus 100% of their time and attention on their kids as no work to do from home and they’re still getting FSM with no worries about losing their jobs or reduction in income, intact according to them, benefits have gone up this month. (Fully appreciate this may not be the case all round)

In my experience, It’s those of us in the squeezed middle struggling! Trying to work and homeschool, struggling financially as everyone at home for lunches as opposed to usual nursery/ks1 free lunch. Worried about our jobs and what the future holds. Many of us forced onto reduced hours.

I understand statistically that those on FSM are more likely to fall behind. But is this another way of trying to disguise the issues? Trying to fit people into boxes of how we can help. The rich will be fine, the poor will be helped, the middle will be forgotten?

I think I need perspective.... my AIBU

AIBU to think it is not just FSM children who are disadvantaged by the current situation and actually, the problem is much bigger than that?

I earn under 8000 however my child cant get the vouchers as I receive working tax credits I have now been furloughed and they still cant get it but his school will deliver free food to old ppl in the area just not to a student who is 7 and is in a at high risk group the system is full of problems and I will go without paying Bill's to feed my child I also now owe over 1000 quid in Bill's because housing benefit decided they would hold my claim until I get a pay slip I am still waiting for so life sucks

The money children on pupil premium get goes into the school budget I believe not every penny of it is spent on that individual child therefore you might imagine that schools will use that money to help across the board.

Sorry to hear that Hamm
I hope things get better for you. It could be worth contacting your local food bank, we’ve found them really helpful at this time

I can’t open the link, what’s this about?

Providing 1-2-1 catchup sessions for the most disadvantaged benefits the other kids as well. It means that more general class time is available to support the 'squeezed middle' kids who get usually get missed because they're just about keeping their heads above water as opposed to it all going to those who are actually sinking.

There's no way to make it fair to everyone on an individual family basis because of course there will be kids who would benefit who are going to miss out, but free school meals are the most effective way of identifying those at most risk of low educational attainment when you look at it on a national basis.

What exactly, OP, in your mind, is being 'on full benefits'?

50 MPs have written asking for £700 to be given to each child who is eligible for free school meals to pay for tuition.

Why bring FSM into it at all? Yes, many families will need support after this. Every child has had their lives changed in some way, whatever their background or family income.

Perhaps you shouldn’t have mentioned one section of society and thrown benefits into the mix if it’s support in general you wish to address.

Thanks I just think its crap the his school won't help him he can still get a free packed lunch but they only delivered for children who's parents get full benefits my son has health issues and has not left the house since it started I can walk to school and put him at risk everyday just for a sandwich we will get by we always do somehow thank u though

but his school will deliver free food to old ppl in the area just not to a student who is 7 and is in a at high risk group the system is full of problems

Have you contacted them and asked for help?
I don't know a single school that has refused a family that has asked for help. Most schools are going far beyond their legal responsibility.

Their parents aren't working at all.
The children need support.
Yes, other people are struggling too but surely you should be looking to those in power to help and support (maybe by making corporations pay their fucking taxes) rather than grumbling about support for poor children.

FSM children, fucks sake.

I never understand how when some people are struggling they blame the dirt poor, rather than the obscenely rich.

I don’t understand why this would be needed? Not every child who’s parents have low income struggles at school? Plus not all parents who are on full benefits (I understand what you mean Op) are undereducated or incapable of home schooling their children?

Unless I’m missing something

I claim ‘full benefits’ and the OP has a point. I have enough money to provide what my children need. I’m not spending on their usual activities or trips or any of the associated costs of school. I have a bit extra for their fsm. I’m at home and can focus on the children’s education and wellbeing without having to juggle work (although I do have uni work to do). I feel very privileged atm.

But I’m probably not the demographic that mn is associating with free school meals.

Before anyone asks why I’m not working, many reasons that are my own business.

I’m pretty sure the OP means “when your only income is from benefits”, rather than benefits supplementing income from working. I don’t necessarily agree with her premise, but I think some posters are being willfully obtuse here...

It’s about narrowing the attainment gap. Nothing else.

I’ve not seen people begrudging the support they’re getting, but that’s a shame if you have.

But isn't this exactly what you're doing? Bedgrudging £13/14 per week for the poorest kids.

Not every child who’s parents have low income struggles at school? Plus not all parents who are on full benefits (I understand what you mean Op) are undereducated or incapable of home schooling their children?

Absolutely. But as a group/cohort children eligible for FSM underperform educationally and suffer from inequalities due to that.

@Saucery wouldn’t it be better to offer this to children who are underperforming? Seems very odd to do it this way

Perspective just generally, not even corona related.
People in your position shouldn't be voting Tory, they won't help you.

Intrigued where the £700 will come from seen as though they can't adequately fund schools to a minimum level now. It's fair though that they are looking into options into how support children when schools are up and running again (in whatever form that is), and no, not all children who are eligible for FSM are at an educational disadvantage, but stats show that many are. It's not really that out there to use it as a measure, but you would hope that common sense is also applied, and other students who are likely to be significantly further behind are also offered additional support.

But isn't this exactly what you're doing? Bedgrudging £13/14 per week for the poorest kids

No? Have you even read the OP?

I also think that, in order to protect those children and families that are genuine, we have to accept the minority that abuse the system.

I have worked with families where the starting point for children is so low in comparison to their peers that, really I want to give them so much more. I think as a society we try to mitigate the opportunists as much as we can whilst trying to protect the vulnerable and, unfortunately that means th ewindow for abuse stays open because, inversely it correlates with something essential for the vulnerable.

I also remember, in teaching, that once I got to know the families that it is never that simple. The seemingly wealthy, middle class, affluent can be dealing with medical stuff that we don't know about it (rightly so). Terminal illness, of a child, or parent. Mental health issues that are complex and need treatment. On the service, they appear successful, competent, functioning adults but perhaps that is because of the support they are receiving.

I also think the media has really, really damaged a lot of good attempts by the social services to help people. It really has legitimized a horrible mentality of judgement without all the facts.

wouldn’t it be better to offer this to children who are underperforming? Seems very odd to do it this way

Probably much like means testing it would take longer and be more expensive to do so

As a general group children who have FSM have far poorer educational attainment than children who don't have FSM. Whilst within that cohort there will be some who will do better than average, and in the non-FSM cohort there will be some who do poorly, it is a good general indicator of the group of children who are likley to need the most help to attain good results

That was before this all kicked off. Children who get FSM are, again generally, likely to have less access to books, the internet, and education resources so the gap is likely to widen even further

@Hamm87 I really hope things get better for you. Have you spoken to the school about how much you're struggling? My DS's school are providing care packages to the parents who are struggling to feed their kids, as well as the local community