The majority of teachers say they have seen students come to school in the past year with dirty clothes, unwashed hair and unbrushed teeth, according to a new survey.
A Census poll conducted in September found that four in five school staff believed there had been an increase in “hygiene poverty” issues in schools over the past 12 months; 1 said the increase was “significant”.
Nearly two in three school staff also said they expected sanitary poverty levels to increase next year.
More than three in five (62%) have seen students wearing dirty uniforms or gym equipment, and 60% have noticed unwashed hair or dirty teeth.
The survey of 500 UK school staff found that nearly three in 10 (28%) children have repeatedly missed school due to hygiene poverty. Suggested.
School staff reported personally laundering student uniforms and purchasing soap, toiletries, and laundry detergent for families in need.
The poll found that school staff spent an average of around £27 out of their own pocket on hygiene poverty support for pupils last year.
Hygiene Bank and Brands Smol, which commissioned the research, estimated that school staff in England spent around £40m of their own money supporting pupils with hygiene poverty issues in the past year.
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Ruth Block, CEO of The Hygiene Bank, which provides hygiene products to people in need, said: “In 2024, we will see more people die because their families can’t afford the things they need to stay clean.” It’s heartbreaking that children across the UK are being denied access to education.”
“Sanitary poverty is a silent crisis that affects not only children’s health and well-being, but also their ability to participate fully in school and can limit their life chances. It is necessary and should not be left to fill the gap, both financially and emotionally by providing these necessities.
“The government’s Child Poverty Task Force must urgently address this issue to ensure that children’s futures are not limited by the shame and isolation caused by sanitary poverty.”
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A government spokesperson said: “We are taking action to fulfill our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and remove the stain of child poverty from our country.”
“This includes legislation to reduce the cost of school uniforms by capping the number of branded items, with as many as 750 schools set to start offering breakfast clubs as early as April next year.
“We have also launched a Child Poverty Task Force, co-chaired by the Education Secretary and the Work and Pensions Secretary, to listen to frontline staff and struggling families, increase household incomes and We have launched an ambitious strategy to cut essential costs and address the challenges felt by those living in poverty.”
