The roundtable was organised by Monica Lennon MSP in collaboration with the STUC Women’s Committee and the Sunday Mail as part of the Food for Thought campaign. Brooke, Summer, Cathy and Leland got the chance to tell decision makers, including Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, what they thought about universal free school meal provision and what needs to happen next.
Participants at the Universal Free School Meals Scottish Parliament roundtable including Voice network members Cathy, Leland, Brooke and Summer, with Monica Lennon MSP and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth
Leland from Newton Primary School said that:
"We think there should be free school meals not just P1-5 but for everyone. It’s important to have free school meals beyond P5 because children are growing and they need more food and energy to learn."
Brooke, Summer, Cathy and Leland were not only sharing their views, but representing those of the more than 5000 children and young people in Scotland who took part in the Cost of the School Day Big Question survey a few months earlier. Lots of children and young people who answered the Big Question highlighted food at school as one of the most important things pupils need to be ready to learn. Voice network members said not being hungry at school helped them to concentrate, learn and feel happier, and the roundtable offered a unique opportunity to tell decision makers about the impact of free school meals for all.
Learners also got to hear directly from other representatives from Assist FM, COSLA and the EIS about the plans and progress towards universal provision.
Summer and Brooke from Ardrossan Academy spoke about the work they have done to reduce stigma and encourage uptake of free school meals. They recently attended a joint cabinet meeting within their local authority to highlight the impact of displaying free school meal balance on the tills in the canteen.
Brooke and Summer from Ardrossan Academy at the Scottish Parliament
Summer from Adrossan Academy told the roundtable that:
"We don’t think that should be the case, so we spoke to North Ayrshire Council. After the summer they’re going to remove the balance and I think that should help a lot because that means there won’t be that stigma of you’ve got this and you’ve not got that.”
Brooke highlighted the importance universal free school meals has on families’ incomes and how it removes stress and worry. She had a specific request for decision makers:
“We ask if the government could give more money to schools to help with free school meals for everyone.”
Leland and Cathy from Newton Primary School at the Scottish Parliament
The youngest speakers at the event were Cathy and Leland from Newton Primary, from P7 and P6 respectively. They spoke passionately about the urgent need to roll out universal provision for P6 and P7 pupils. Cathy told delegates:
“If we don’t have enough food in school we don’t have any energy, we’re grumpy and we have hungry tummies, struggle to focus on our learning or don’t have as much fun with our friends. Hunger impacts on your learning. We think you could help with this if you just give everyone free school meals.”
Leland also challenged delegates to consider what it is like to take part at school if hunger is an issue:
“Government guidelines say that children have to do two hours of Physical Education every week. If children don’t have the food they need and they are hungry and don’t have enough energy, how do you expect them to take part in two hours of PE – could you do two hours of PE if you were hungry?”
Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for education and Skills, praised the young people’s inputs and activism and said that she would take their views and concerns back to the next full Cabinet meeting:
“I have taught young people who have been hungry because I used to be a teacher, and I know it is really difficult for them to concentrate. There is a real emphasis on us in government to close the poverty related attainment gap. We need to raise attainment for all, and can’t do that with children coming to school with hungry tummies.“
Summer and Brooke told us about their experience visiting the parliament, Summer said:
“I think it was great, It wasn’t as uptight as I thought, which made it a better experience. I would definitely like to come back. A lot of everyone’s views really opened up my mind to things I haven’t thought about.”
Brooke reflected:
“Obviously we want to see free school meals for P6 and P7 and hopefully that will be one small step that will keep on going and going until eventually everyone will get a free school meal.”
Eilidh Fleming, teacher for History and Modern studies who also leads on learner voice at Ardrossan Academy supported Summer and Brooke to attend::
"It was exciting for the girls to hear how free school meals impacts a range of stakeholders. The girls and I are looking forward to hearing what Jenny Gilruth's plans are with regards to free school meals. We have lots to reflect on and can’t wait to share this with the rest of our school.”
Cost of the School Day pupil groups and learner voices are an essential part of helping to drive change and action on equity in education. Well done to all the young people involved in campaigning on this issue!
Voice network members Summer, Brooke, Cathy and Leland after giving evidence at the Free School Meals roundtable
Cathy, Leland, Brooke and Summer are all part of the Cost of the School Day Voice network, and are helping to make changes in their schools and more widely across Scotland.
