York free school meal pilots extended to ten additional primary schools

Funded by the York Hungry Minds campaign, the free school breakfast pilots will be rolled out to invited children at the following schools from the summer term:

• Haxby Road Primary
• Hob Moor Primary
• Tang Hall Primary
• New Earswick Primary
• St Lawrences Primary
• Poppleton Road Primary
• Woodthorpe Primary
• Osbaldwick Primary
• Stockton on Forest Primary
• Lakeside Primary

Supporting children’s health and wellbeing

York Hungry Minds was established to address disadvantage and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, backed by national evidence showing that providing children with healthy, nourishing food can significantly improve school attendance, concentration, and overall physical and mental wellbeing.

The initiative is part of the council’s broader commitment to start good health and wellbeing early in life, forming a key part of its four-year plan, One City for All.

These ten schools will join three others already offering free school meals: children in years 3–6 can access free lunches at Westfield Community Primary School, while free breakfasts are available at Burton Green Primary School and Fishergate Primary School.

The pilots are made possible thanks to funding from City of York Council (for Westfield lunches) and donations to the York Community Fund’s York Hungry Minds Appeal (for breakfast pilots).

Council and school praise

Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s executive member for children, young people and education and chair of the York Hungry Minds Steering Group, said:

“Being able to offer free school meals to children at ten more primary schools across the city is a fantastic achievement for the York Hungry Minds campaign and for York as a whole."

Local and national evidence shows the positive impact universal free school meals have on pupils’ attendance and behaviour. We hope that our work and the generous donations of people and organisations across the city will help to ensure that all our children have a great, healthy start to their school lives.

I’d like to thank everyone who has donated in whatever way, for supporting this pioneering initiative. The York Hungry Minds campaign really is helping to change children’s lives.”

Matt Brown, headteacher at Osbaldwick Primary Academy, added:

“We are thrilled that Osbaldwick Primary Academy has been selected to join the York Hungry Minds pilot next term. Providing a nutritious meal at no cost will ensure every child is ready to learn and thrive, whilst offering vital support to our families during these challenging times.”

Further information about the research findings is available at York Hungry Minds

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