The first schools to offer free breakfast clubs for pupils as part of the Government’s flagship scheme have been named – including one in York and 16 in North Yorkshire.
Some 750 state schools with primary-aged children from every region of 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.
In York, St Paul’s C of E Primary School in Holgate will take part in the breakfast clubs pilot.
In North Yorkshire, these schools are included:
- Leyburn Primary School
- Riverside School, Tadcaster
- Saxton Church of England Primary School
- St George’s Catholic Primary School a Catholic voluntary academy
- St Peter’s Catholic Primary School a Catholic voluntary academy
- Linton-on-Ouse Primary School
- Sheriff Hutton Primary School
- Giggleswick Primary School
- Leavening Community Primary School
- Ingleby Greenhow Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
- Ruswarp Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
- Fylingdales Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
- Sharow Church of England Primary School
- Askrigg Voluntary Controlled Primary School
- Long Preston Endowed Voluntary Aided Primary School
- Springwater 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.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said 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,” said Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT.