A REDDITCH school will be among the first 750 school in England to deliver the government’s free breakfast club programme.
The scheme – part of the government’s Plan for Change and the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill – will offer every child at the school access to a free, healthy breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare each morning.
The early adopter phase, of which St Stephen’s C of E First School is part of, begins this month and will help inform the full national roll-out.
Redditch MP, Chris Bloore, has welcomed the announcement, saying he was delighted.
“This is a win for Redditch families, giving children a healthy start to their day while easing the burden of the cost-of-living crisis on working parents.
“These clubs improve attendance, behaviour and attainment – and they make a genuine difference to families’ lives.
“I was lucky to visit St Stephen’s breakfast club last month and see for myself the warmth, care and impact it’s having on pupils and staff.”
The scheme is also central to the Government mission to remove barriers to opportunity and end the cycle of child poverty.
Of the 180,000 children set to benefit nationally in this early phase, around 67,000 attend schools in the most disadvantaged communities.
Breakfast clubs have been shown by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) to boost children’s attainment in reading, writing, and maths by up to two months of progress in Key Stage 1.
They also help pupils settle into the school day and give parents greater flexibility to work the jobs and hours that suit them.
Bridget Phillipson MP, Secretary of State for Education, added: “Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Labour’s Plan for Change – breaking the link between background and success.
“We know they can transform children’s lives – feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child starts the day ready to learn.”
