Lack of food makes home schooling harder, say one in five struggling families

Researchers are warning that educational inequalities are likely to rise during pandemic, writes Peter Stubley

Secondary school pupil Euan Stanton studies at home during the lockdown (PA)

One in five struggling families found a lack of food made home-learning more difficult for their children, according to a new survey.

Parents of school pupils from less advantaged backgrounds also reported suffering from a lack of technology, internet connection and space.

The poll suggests that a switch to home learning can disproportionately disrupt the education of the most disadvantaged pupils compared to their more comfortable peers.