A study of 10,000 teachers by School Food Matters and Teacher Tapp has highlighted that schools are using their own budgets to stop children from going hungry.
According to the results, 38% of senior leaders are providing free school meals to pupils who are not eligible, rising to 51% in the poorest areas.
Schools in the North West and South West of England in particular were forced to provide free school meals from their own budgets.
More than half of the senior leaders surveyed said that demand for this support has increased since September 2023, with 24% opening food banks for struggling families.
The results come amid calls for the government to expand access to free school meals.
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