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Funding cuts threaten project in Newham, east London, that feeds thousands of children
A fruit and vegetable stall in Newham. The council sees its free school meals scheme as a valuable bulwark against hunger and poverty. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images
A fruit and vegetable stall in Newham. The council sees its free school meals scheme as a valuable bulwark against hunger and poverty. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images
Thu 17 Dec 2020 14.12 EST
Last modified on Fri 18 Dec 2020 08.37 EST
A pioneering scheme providing free school meals to all primary school pupils in one of the UK’s poorest boroughs faces the axe as a result of funding cuts, leaving thousands of deprived youngsters at risk of missing out on a nutritious dinner.
Leaders show a very good understanding of the improvements required and, under the leadership of an insightful director of children’s services, have developed relevant plans to address these.”
Inspectors now make regular monitoring visits to see how well improvements are going following the snap inspection in February 2019 when it was found social work practice had “deteriorated significantly” since 2014.
Cllr Sarah Ruiz, cabinet member for education and children social care, said: “We are proud that Ofsted found we stepped up to protect some of Newham’s most vulnerable children and young people in the face of the global Covid-19 pandemic.