Understanding hygiene poverty and supporting students in schools

The School Leadership Podcast · Mar 3, 2026 · 26m

Recent research suggests that nearly three million schoolchildren in the UK have experienced hygiene poverty in the past year. This means everyday essentials such as shampoo, toothpaste and laundry detergent have become unaffordable for their families.The consequences are significant: hygiene poverty can affect confidence and the ability to learn, and in some cases lead to children avoiding school altogether. And while the wider causes of hygiene poverty require systemic solutions, we’re increasingly seeing school staff stepping in to support students and their families. In this episode, Sam…