First West Norfolk, North Norfolk and Breckland schools named in free breakfast club pilot
The first schools in West Norfolk, North Norfolk and Breckland to offer free breakfast clubs for pupils as part of a government scheme have been revealed.
Primary-aged children from 750 state schools across England have been selected to join the pilot, which is expected to run from April before a national rollout.
The schools chosen for the trial are expected to offer a free breakfast to all pupils and at least 30 minutes of childcare before school.
The £7 million “early adopters” scheme – which will test the delivery of the programme ahead of a wider national rollout in England – was announced at Labour’s party conference last September.
It is expected to run until July before being expanded as soon as possible.
Across West Norfolk, North Norfolk and Breckland, the following four schools have been selected to join the trial:
– Heacham Infant and Nursery School
– Gooderstone Church of England Primary Academy
– Blenheim Park Academy, Sculthorpe
– Duke of Lancaster School, Fakenham
Eight other schools across the rest of Norfolk are also part of the trial.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says the clubs would help to break the link “between background and success” for families “all over the country”.
“Alongside our plans to roll out school-based nurseries and get thousands more children school-ready, this government is delivering the reforms needed to give every child, wherever they grow up, the best start in life,” she said.
The headteachers’ union welcomed the expansion of breakfast clubs, which some schools already run, but expressed concerns that funding would fall short of the cost.
“It will be crucial that these concerns are addressed before the programme is rolled out across the country to ensure that it does not place further pressure on already strained school budgets and that children and families can fully reap the benefits,” NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said.
Terry Jermy, MP for South West Norfolk, said he was “delighted” about the trial.
“This is a landmark policy that will save families £450 a year and will help children. I am delighted that Gooderstone Primary is one of the first to be selected in the rollout,” he said.
“Through Labour’s Plan for Change, we're boosting work choices for parents and life chances for children. Since taking office, this Labour government has quite rightly put children first, backed working families and will continue to break down barriers to opportunity.”
