Story perspectives

Staffroom Book “Poor” Highlights Child Poverty, Says Support Worker

8/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sarah Schofield Whitefield (Greater Manchester) announced a copy of Katriona O’Sullivan’s *Poor* will sit in her school’s staffroom when it reopens in September.
She noted the epilogue shows O’Sullivan’s severe-poverty past and present, noting children often arrive at school hungry, anxious and on high alert.
She described her role as providing mental-health support to vulnerable children and families, not teaching.
She said reading *Poor* urged treating others with dignity.

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Story summary

Sarah Schofield Whitefield (Greater Manchester) announced a copy of Katriona O’Sullivan’s *Poor* will sit in her school’s staffroom when it reopens in September.
She noted the epilogue shows O’Sullivan’s severe-poverty past and present, noting children often arrive at school hungry, anxious and on high alert.
She described her role as providing mental-health support to vulnerable children and families, not teaching.
She said reading *Poor* urged treating others with dignity.