The finding has come from a survey of members by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) and the union is now to commission research into the scale of child hunger in the UK and its effects on learning.
It came as ATL members debated a motion on child hunger at the union’s annual conference in Liverpool over Easter. The motion raised particular concern about the effect of poverty and hunger during the summer holidays, which can result in a drop-off in attainment.
The ATL survey found that 26 per cent of the school staff thought their pupils suffered from hunger during the long summer break, while 38 per cent said they suffered from physical health issues.
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