A Birmingham headteacher has revealed that pupils are being forced to travel long distances to school after their families were evicted from their homes. Tania Yasmin, executive headteacher at Greet Primary School in Sparkhill, described how children are routinely moved out of rented accommodation and housed dozens of miles away from their school.
Families Traveling from Derby
Speaking to BirminghamLive, Yasmin shared an example of a family that was relocated to Derby, 45 miles away. They commuted daily to Sparkhill because that was the only place where they could be housed in a hotel. 'We have children and families who are routinely moving out of rented accommodation or being evicted and staying in hotels for a night here,' she said.
Impact on Children
The headteacher emphasized that parents are determined to keep their children in school despite the distance. 'That's the impact we are seeing, and it also creates social injustice,' she added. Yasmin noted that housing instability leads to withdrawal, emotional outbursts, and disengagement. 'They can't focus here when their mind is on their family or home elsewhere,' she explained.
The story highlights the broader housing crisis affecting Birmingham families and its toll on children's education and well-being.
