An estimated 2.6 million children in the UK live in households that missed meals or struggled to access healthy food during April, according to data from the Food Foundation charity.
Dr Nick Capstick, the head teacher of Drove Primary School in Wiltshire and a signatory to the letter, wants free school meals extended to all pupils. "We are seeing more of our pupils having time away from school because of illness and poor oral hygiene caused by inadequate diet," said Dr Capstick, who is also chairman of an independent working group, the School Food Review.
"Schools are increasingly faced with the need to support and often feed young people whose families can no longer afford the right food at home," he told BBC News.
"The holiday activities and food programme runs during major school holidays, and wider welfare support is available through the household support fund, which helps vulnerable families in need with essentials, such as food and utility bills."
Why u photographing black kids for this?
Give ALL pupils free school meals! Start with the primary kids and then (once everyone has realised what an incredible burst to learning it brings) extend to secondary.