Headteacher spots pupil stealing from school, but explanation is heartbreaking

A headteacher spotted a pupil stealing some basic items from school - and was heartbroken to find out why.

Razia Shah said a highlighter, some pens and a glue stick had gone missing from St Augustine's CE Primary School in Monsall, North Manchester, but staff initially thought little of it. However, when they discovered who was taking them and why, they were saddened.

The headteacher revealed the pupil loved to draw but had nothing they could use at home - including colouring pens and paper. After talking to the child, Razia supplied them with a pencil case to allow them to draw at home and be creative.

READ MORE: Kids going to school so hungry they're 'stealing snacks and eating rubbers to feel full'

The school is located in one of Manchester's most deprived neighbourhoods and staff say they regularly see children with very little in the lunchboxes, wearing broken shoes and old clothes. But Razia said the school is benefiting from the help of the INEOS Forgotten 40 Project, a charitable initiative hoping to improve the lives of children growing up in some of the poorest parts of the UK, which provides them funding.

The name Forgotten 40 refers to the estimated number of children living in poverty in the UK alone, predicted to be growing towards 40%, Manchester Evening News reports. Thanks to the project, headteachers of 100 primary schools serving some of the UK's most deprived communities are given flexible funding "to meet the wellbeing and needs of children growing up in particularly challenging circumstances." To date, the project has helped over 25,000 children across the UK.

St Augustine's has been receiving the funding for the past five years and it has made a significant different, the headteacher said. She explained: "If children need uniform we have uniform. Quite often we'll have soles coming off trainers and with the recent rain we replaced two pairs of school shoes for kids whose feet were getting soaked.

"If a pupil comes in and their trousers are ripped or their tights are ripped, no questions are asked, someone will say 'just try these on' and nobody needs to know, it's all done discreetly. There's no stigma attached to anything here and our parents know that."

Razia said the school has 65% pupil premium, making children eligible for free school meals, but it's not only those on benefits that are in need of support, highlighting that there are also some poor parents "who are one-in, one-out at home with their shifts just to make ends meet and doing everything they possibly can." In addition to basic items children need, the school also provides everyone with a free breakfast, free fruit during the break and free milk with lunch.

They also arrange an annual cinema trip, theatre, farm visits and visits to London, Razia, who is a mum-of-three said. "We try to give them as many trips and first-hand experiences as possible," she explained. "As a headteacher we are gifted this money from INEOS to use on our community, no strings attached, to do whatever our community needs.

"My parents love their children and want to give their children the best, but life is hard and they can't always afford not only the luxuries but the basics, so we want to help them as much as we can. The hire of a coach alone can be £400 and with the funding it means we never have to worry about whether our parents can afford that."

Every year the school takes 40 children on a residential trip to the Lake District, giving them "an amazing experience" to remember, says Razia. While funding for St Augustine's has been confirmed for the next three years, Razia is already dreading what will happen when it ends.

"It makes such a difference having the autonomy with this money," she said. "It means if I need to I can help someone top up their electricity, I can pay for things they need, I can think outside the box. We know our communities well and the children who need support. We wear so many hats now - social worker, health carer - we do so many things.

"I just wish these next three years would never end because we've been able to make such a difference and that's what we all come into the job for." The INEOS Forgotten 40 Project began in 2020 when INEOS Chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe read reports of growing childhood poverty and looked to do something pivotal to increase opportunities for all children. Funding goes directly to schools, with no middleman, and minimal admin is required by headteachers.