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Government school breakfast club pilot begins

Anna Whittaker
BBC political reporter, Black Country•@journoanna_
BBC A woman wearing a jumper which says 'book worm'. She is standing in front of a mural which shows two people stood at the foot of a mountain range pointing upwards. there are some green benches behind the woman and a series of colourful, open umbrellas on the floor. BBC
Lotty Summers is excited about the new free breakfast clubs

Parents at a school in Walsall that is part of the government's breakfast club pilot said the free rollout will enable them to get to work.

Rivers Primary Academy in Bloxwich is one of 750 schools which will get a free daily breakfast club from April.

Over a third of schools in the pilot are said to be in deprived areas – with 82 in the West Midlands. Birmingham has the second largest number of schools in the programme with 24.

Schools will receive a lump sum for set up and a further amount for costs, including staffing. They will also receive a varying amount per pupil.

Blue and yellow plastic bowls are stacked the top shelf of a metal caddy, with cereal decanted into clear tubs and cartons of oat and cows milk nearby. On the middle shelf, there are two yellow tubs, one filled with water and a blue cloth and one with leftover food in it.
The existing breakfast offering at Rivers Primary Academy

Lotty Summers, a librarian from Bloxwich, said she wouldn't be able to get to work without the breakfast club.

"It really helps with work-life balance. It's so exciting, we already get the extra help with tax-free childcare, and having even more help with this is amazing for us."

Parent Andy Hunt said he signed up his two daughters "straight away" when he found out about the initiative.

"It will make our lives a lot easier in the morning because it is one less thing to stress about.

"It gives the kids the ability to have a hearty breakfast before school and means we will be able to get work on time, which is a massive help for us."

Some MPs and headteachers have expressed concern that, at 60p per pupil per day, funding is too low. However, schools in deprived areas can get an uplift.

Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch, took the government to task during Prime Minister's Questions, describing "60p breakfast clubs".

The Prime Minister said Ms Badenoch "should be welcoming them".

Becky Bailey, head teacher at Rivers, said she was "thrilled" her school is in the pilot, and confirmed 90 families have already expressed an interest.

She added: "Any head teacher who has agreed to be part of this pilot understands that there are going to be logistical challenges, but that is why we are embracing it so we can shape the project."

A woman with long blonde hair, red blazer, black top and wearing a silver necklace, smiles at the camera. She is sat at a light brown desk with a black monitor and a keyboard in front of her. There is also a telephone, walkie talkie, small teddy bear and some stationary on the desk. There is a window with a white blind half down behind her.
Head teacher Becky Bailey is embracing the project

Shenstone Lodge School, 10 miles away in Lichfield, is also involved in the pilot.

As a special school, it will receive £3.23p per pupil.

Currently, the school offers children toast, milkshakes and apple juice when they arrive from their taxis.

Head teacher Ian Mitchell said, the initiative is a challenge "on a couple of levels" – including rearranging the taxis which bring the majority of children to school.

Mr Mitchell also said he needs to consider the staffing of the clubs.

"Overwhelmingly, we are excited about the project and determined to try to make it work", he added.

A woman wearing a grey animal print dress with glasses on her head. She is in front of a small kitchen that has a metal sink draining board with mugs on, and cereal boxes, milk cartons and some other utensils on. She also has a small yellow and black gadget dangling hanging from a string lanyard around her neck.
Year 5 teacher Emma Stretton

Year 5 Teacher Emma Stretton said it will also ease the strain on their pockets.

"At least half of the teachers here subsidise the breakfast because it isn't enough", she said.

"It is a godsend and it'll make a massive difference."

The government plans to roll breakfast clubs out to all schools in England.

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