This week we were joined by Karen Higginbottom, a Family Support Worker at Mablethorpe Primary Academy.
Although we were all aware that Mablethorpe suffers high levels of deprivation, I don’t think many of us understood the impact this has on our local schools.
Mablethorpe Primary Academy has around 320 children, 50% of which are eligible for free school meals. Seventy to eighty also come in early each day for the free Breakfast Club which helps ensure children start the day ready to learn. Whilst in some cases the children may not otherwise be properly fed, the initiative also supports working parents by allowing them to drop their children off earlier. Free after school activities provide similar benefits.
Outside of term time, many families will receive food vouchers to help them provide the meals normally eaten in school.
In the classroom, pupils benefit from a higher than typical ratio of educators to students, with one or two teaching assistants present in class to give extra help and tuition. The school arranges activities and experiences that many of the children might not otherwise have access to, such as a pantomime performance or outdoor pursuits experience.
Karen explained that the Academy model can limit opportunities for fundraising, which is also harder without access to a pool of wealthy parents. Currently, the school is raising money for an outdoor obstacle course (the ‘trim trail’) and is also in need of more playground equipment.
The club would like to thank Karen for her talk and patience in answering our many questions, and we look forwards to finding ways to support Mablethorpe Primary going forwards.