Thread by @mahil_kiran

1. I turned the kitchen clock back 1 hour this morning. Watching the hand wind backwards brought home how easy it is to regress.

2. Over 100 years ago, Clara Grant, an educator and social reformer, set up the Fern Street Settlement to help children in the East End of London.

3. A mural of her is being painted on the building next to the school where I teach. romanroadlondon.com/mainyard-studi…

4. It should be a beautiful memorial to the efforts of many who ensured local children had the best chance to succeed.

5. Grant brought dignity and opportunity to children shackled by poverty. She fed them, clothed them and let them play. A wonderful contribution to our area that absolutely deserves to be remembered.

6. When I walked past it on the last day of half term, it stopped me in my tracks. Instead of filling me with pride about our past, I was overcome with sorrow and anger about the hardship some families will feel in the week ahead.

7. Over 50% of children in the Tower Hamlets live in poverty. That’s despite many of them having parents who work. It’s why @TowerHamletsNow funds free school meals for all primary age children during term time.

8. I am so grateful to local people for guaranteeing our young children have at least one good meal a day.

9. The government’s recent decision to not feed hungry children over the holidays - in the middle of a global pandemic - does turn the clock back.

10. Hungry children find it more difficult to learn. It’s not rocket science but if, as a teacher, I can’t convince you

11. Doctors have said it 👇🏽

https://twitter.com/ObserverUK/status/1320091296757960707

12. @annelongfield The Children’s Commissioner has said it

https://twitter.com/ChildrensComm/status/1319558091533406209

13. And a leading Conservative MP, who knows a thing or two about education has made the case for it

https://twitter.com/halfon4harlowmp/status/1319928868485156864

14. So many community groups, charities and businesses have stepped up and responded to @MarcusRashford’s SOS.

15. @bowfoodbank has an emergency appeal open right now inviting more support

https://twitter.com/bowfoodbank/status/1319572247254884352

16. But that does not guarantee that the young people who are in most need of food will get it.

17. The government still has time to act to make sure the clocks go back only an hour rather than a century, when East End children didn’t have a chance to escape the poverty they were born into.

18. Education does level up. But only when children can focus. Hungry tummies don’t help learning brains.

19. @educationgovuk please reconsider and act to alleviate holiday hunger over Christmas and beyond. #FreeSchoolMeals

20. @rushanaraali @RNBlake as our local representatives, please hear the concerns of many teachers who are working hard to ensure no child is left behind.