The breakfast clubs form part of the Government’s mission to break the unfair link between background and opportunity. This action to kick-start the programme comes after the Budget, which tripled investment in breakfast clubs to over £33 million for 2025-26.
The Government says that breakfast clubs in every primary school will make a ‘huge difference’ to children, families, and schools - removing barriers to opportunity by helping children learn, making sure no child starts school hungry and helping families with the cost of childcare around the school day.
Lindsey MacDonald, chief executive at Magic Breakfast, commented: ‘We’re pleased to see the announcement of the early adopter scheme for school breakfast. Working with up to 750 schools in England presents an opportunity for the DfE to test, learn and finesse their school breakfast policy ahead of the wider implementation.
“It’s vital that the free school breakfast policy set to be rolled out for all primary pupils in England is fit for purpose and will achieve its intended benefits. The scheme must ensure schools have appropriate, adequate funding which covers set-up costs and ongoing staffing, support and guidance, a nutritional and healthy menu, with flexibility being a key part of the offer to address the variety of facilities and needs of different schools.
“This requires a variety of breakfast models, as one size does not fit all. Breakfast clubs offer a social and supportive start for students, and we equally want to ensure that those children who are unable to come to the club have a healthy and nutritious breakfast to kick start their day.
“Magic Breakfast will continue to campaign for children and young people who will still be missing breakfast, including secondary school students and those in devolved nations, to ensure that no child starts the school day too hungry to learn.”