Cooley Primary School and Nursery Unit in Sixmilecross has secured a £1,500 grant from Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme. The funding supports a new initiative to provide nutritious snacks to pupils who arrive at school without eating.

The project serves the school’s 100 pupils. It targets children who have not eaten before the school day or lack food for break time. The programme operates alongside the school’s existing Breakfast Club.

Principal Gail Cuthbertson stated that children sometimes attend on an empty stomach due to rushed mornings and busy family schedules. Staff identify hungry pupils and offer food discreetly to avoid embarrassment. She noted that fed children concentrate better and engage more in lessons.

Claire De Silva, head of Community at Tesco, welcomed the support for the school through customer voting with blue tokens.