Full list of 75 London schools offering free breakfast clubs under new plans

The first schools to offer free breakfast clubs for children in London have been revealed. There are 750 state primary schools across the country which are now part of a pilot offering free breakfast for children, as well as at least half an hour of childcare before lessons begin.

Of those involved in the pilot, 75 of them are located in the capital – and it’s hoped the free breakfast clubs will be rolled out to all primary schools across England in April. It’s part of the government’s £7million ‘early adopters scheme’, and was announced at Labour’s party conference last September.

Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, says the free breakfast clubs will help to break the link ‘between background and success’. But the headteachers’ union has raised concerns that the scheme’s funding won’t cover the full cost. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT, told The Independent: ‘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.’.

While some schools already run a breakfast club, this scheme will see them rolled out universally across England. They will be encouraged to offer healthy, varied and nutritious meals, like fresh fruit, yoghurt and porridge. This pilot will see 180,000 children benefit from a school breakfast club – and of those, 67,000 attend schools in deprived areas.

It’s hoped the scheme will help to alleviate the impact of child poverty, providing a free breakfast which could reduce the cost of the weekly shop, and allowing parents to drop their children at school half an hour earlier which could make it easier for them to get to work.

Ms Phillipson added: ‘Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of our Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country. To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro's London news hub. ‘Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.

‘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.’. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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