South Shropshire Schools Urged to Join Breakfast Clubs Early Adopters Scheme
Stuart Anderson MP has called on schools across South Shropshire to join the school breakfast club pilot. Early adopters are being recruited to test the scheme ahead of its national rollout. Stuart has said that it is important for schools in rural areas to feature in the pilot so the new government can successfully deliver the full scheme.
Up to 750 schools with primary aged pupils will be invited to take part in the £7 million pilot. The list of schools taking part will be confirmed by early 2025, with the scheme launching in the summer term. It will see the schools running free breakfast clubs for their pupils from April to July.
The scheme builds on the National School Breakfast Programme, which was set up by the last government with up to £40 million invested using funds from Soft Drinks Industry Levy revenues. Schools received a 75% subsidy for the food and delivery costs of breakfast club provision. This created or improved breakfast clubs in up to 2,450 schools located in the most disadvantaged parts of the country, with 65% being primary and 23% secondary.
A 2019 evaluation report conducted by the Education Endowment Foundation found Year 2 children in breakfast club schools made the equivalent of two months’ additional progress. Pupil behaviour also improved in breakfast club schools, enhancing their readiness to learn and improving classroom environments.
The pilot will focus on how breakfast clubs can be delivered in a way that builds on what is already happening in schools; meets the needs of parents; and ensures children start the day ready to learn.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“Up to £40 million was invested under the last government to deliver free and nutritious daily breakfasts for 350,000 children. I am glad to see the new government continue this valuable scheme, with an early adopters programme ahead of national rollout. Schools in rural areas are likely to have unique insights on the delivery of the scheme, so I would encourage as many primary schools in South Shropshire as possible to sign up as early adopters.”
Schools that wish to find out more about becoming an early adopter can sign up using the early adopter breakfast clubs expression of interest form to be notified as further information becomes available. It can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/breakfast-clubs-early-adopters-scheme.
