Governing for the wellbeing of all children: the role of secondary state school governors in supporting pupils eligible for free school meals

Free School Meals (FSM) were introduced as a nutritional safety net to mitigate the effects of poverty on hunger and malnutrition, and improve educational, health and wellbeing outcomes. Inadequate FSM provision or low take-up risks exacerbating social inequalities (DfE, 2019). This project is therefore strongly aligned with the priorities of the ECY pathway, centring on formal education, critical education policy studies and social, mental and physical inequalities related to children's food security. Hunger and malnutrition negatively affect children's cognitive function and behaviour, impacting children's learning, social interactions, participation and inclusion. Numbers affected have been amplified by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic (Trussell Trust, 2020).

Ultimately accountability for children's health and wellbeing and for school food provision rests with school governors (DfE, 2020). This study will examine how governors conceptualise childhood food insecurity, in the context of their wider health and wellbeing statutory duties, and link this to school policies and practices regarding FSM provision. Project insights will inform school governors in scrutinising FSM provision and supporting the wellbeing of all children in their care. The project will utilise co-production methods and will be informed by an inter-disciplinary approach drawing on Education Studies, Sociology, Health Psychology and Critical Policy Studies.