Schools Invited to Pilot Breakfast Clubs

Schools Invited to Pilot Breakfast Clubs

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that free breakfast clubs will be introduced in all primary schools across England starting in April next year. Delivering her speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, she revealed that the rollout of the scheme will begin with a pilot involving up to 750 schools. 

The aim of the pilot is to assess how existing provisions can be enhanced, meet parental needs, and ensure children start their day ready to learn. A confirmed £7m of funding has been allocated to the rollout, and Reeves pledged her commitment to providing equal opportunities for all children so that they don’t have to succeed ‘against all odds’.

There has been support from the sector for the scheme, with the increased availability of breakfast clubs helping to tackle the wider issue of ensuring all children are provided with nutritious meals. However, some groups, including the National Education Union showed its support for free breakfast clubs but also stressed that more could be done to help tackle child hunger.

The Chancellor has also promised a review of business rates, which has been welcomed by the leading voices within the sector. 

Schools or staff wishing to find out more about the breakfast clubs pilot can register their interest in becoming an early adopter with the DfE on their website.