IT’ S MORE THAN
MONEY
WHY WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT POVERTY WITH TEENS IN THE TEES AREA
Sean Harris grew up in a low-income home. He is now director of PLACE( people, learning and community engagement) at Tees Valley Education Trust and co-author with colleague Katrina Morley OBE of Tackling Poverty and Disadvantage in Schools.
Food for thought – Sean’ s book, Tackling Poverty and Disadvantage in Schools, which he co-authored with Katrina Morley OBE.
Here, Sean shares his thoughts on the challenges of poverty.
P overty is a prickly word. It can feel awkward, heavy, even shameful. No one wants to be labelled as“ in poverty”. But for many children and young people, it’ s a daily reality. Poverty isn’ t just about money. It’ s about feeling left out, different or disconnected from friends who seem to have more. As one pupil told me:“ Poverty is more than money.” Like my co-author and colleague Katrina Morley OBE, I grew up in a low-income home where money couldn’ t be taken for granted. Choices about heating, school trips or social activities were tough. We were both the first in our families to go to university, and we know how poverty can shape your dreams. It’ s why we now work in education – alongside young people facing the same challenges.
Poverty in the Tees Valley
Around one in three children in the UK live in poverty after housing costs – and in the North- East, the figure is even higher. In Middlesbrough, almost half of all children grow up in poverty. But statistics don’ t show what that really means. Poverty in the Tees Valley can look like choosing between bus fare and lunch money, skipping football because boots are too expensive or feeling the cold because the heating’ s been switched off. Research shows pupils who face persistent poverty can leave school almost two years behind others. It’ s a tough truth but understanding it is the first step to changing it.
Talking about poverty
At Tees Valley Education, we believe poverty isn’ t something to hide. We create spaces for children and families to talk openly – not to label anyone, but to show we care.
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