An Oldham secondary school has asked for donations to its food bank to help families over half-term.

E-ACT The Oldham Academy North is one of at least 10 schools in the borough running its own food bank.

The food bank is open on the last Friday of each month, for all families of pupils at the school. 

Previously, families who were eligible for free school meals had been supplied with a food voucher during school holidays.

Across the country, the value of the vouchers was slashed last year, including in Oldham, following government changes.

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The government had funded the vouchers following a campaign by footballer Marcus Rashford.

However, this is now not the case over the February and October half terms. 

As such, the school is keen to receive more donations so they can offer more support to their families. 

Headteacher Jessica Giraud said: “We don’t want anyone in our school community going hungry and will do whatever we can to support those in need. 

“We would welcome any donations for our food bank and hope that providing this resource will be of benefit to local families.”

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Tom Campbell, chief executive of the E-ACT multi-academy trust, said: “Schools are more than places of learning and though I’m sorry that there is a need for it, I am glad that The Oldham Academy North are stepping up and providing support for their students during this difficult financial time.”

The school set the foodbank up around October 2022, offering the service every month during term time since then, thanks to donations.

School families wishing to access the food bank on the last Friday of the month just need to call the reception team at the school or pop by and see them and they will be happy to help. 

Reception is open from 7.30am to 5.00pm between Monday and Friday in term time.

The Oldham Academy North said that Oldham Council had confirmed more resources are being put toward helping disabled and carer residents with their fuel costs this year, meaning food voucher support over the October and February half-terms had to be scaled back.

Oldham Council declined to comment on this story.