'It's been a game-changer for our pupils' More Bedfordshire schools to benefit from free breakfast clubs
More children are set to benefit from Best Start free breakfast clubs from April, helping parents struggling with the rising cost of living.
Parents across Bedfordshire are set to save up to £450 per year as free breakfast club rollout targets areas where families are struggling most with the cost of living.
Applications for free breakfast clubs open today for 166 more schools in the East of England following the government’s announcement of a further investment of £80 million. Schools eligible have 40per cent of pupils on free school meals.
The government has increased the per child funding rate for mainstream schools to £1. Schools will also receive a guaranteed £25 a day to cover staffing and admin so every type of school can deliver a breakfast club. For an average school with 50% take up, the total funding package has increased by 28%.
Today’s announcement builds on the government’s decision to prioritise investment to help families with the cost of living such as expanding free school meals to every family on Universal Credit, which will lift 100,000 children out of poverty, capping branded school uniform items, and introducing 30 hours funded childcare to working parents, saving them up to £7,500 per year.
Joanne Adams, Head Teacher at William Austin Junior School in Luton, said: “Joining the free breakfast club programme has been a real game-changer for our pupils. Having that time to eat, chat and settle in means they head into lessons happier and more focused.
“It’s also made mornings smoother for parents – they know that their children will receive a nutritious breakfast - and are being looked after by our staff before lessons begin.
“The updated funding formula makes it easier for us to plan ahead and keep the support in place that our children rely on.”
Th government has also secured new industry partnerships with Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Weetabix as well as Magic Breakfast for current early adopter schools until July 2026.
This will ensure top British brands can help schools benefit from discounts and free deliveries and kids to have access to healthier, varied meals.