First 750 schools to offer free breakfast clubs confirmed

The first 750 schools to offer free, daily breakfast clubs from April have been announced by the government.

From April, the selected primary schools will offer a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare every day.

Ministers believe the programme will help to boost children’s attendance, attainment and behaviour in school, as well as cut costs for parents.

Around 180,000 children will benefit from the scheme, including 67,000 who go to schools in deprived areas.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of our plan for change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.   

“Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.”

The government will use the findings from this pilot to inform a planned national rollout of free breakfast clubs.

Union concerned about funding

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has welcomed the announcement, saying breakfast clubs can improve the health and wellbeing of children and tackle the impact of poverty.

However, the union said some school leaders are worried that funding for the scheme could “fall short of the cost of delivering it”.

NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said: “It will be crucial that these concerns are addressed before the programme is rolled out across the country to ensure that it does not place further pressure on already strained school budgets, and that children and families can fully reap the benefits."

Help for parents is available

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We offer confidential and impartial debt advice and can help you:

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