The Government is set to introduce free breakfast clubs in all primary schools across the country. Before the full rollout, 750 schools have been selected to participate in an “early adopters” pilot scheme, aimed at testing the programme’s effectiveness.
The pilot will begin in April 2025 and run until July 2025, providing free breakfasts and at least 30 minutes of childcare before school.
Cambridgeshire Schools Chosen
A total of 13 primary schools across Cambridgeshire have been selected to take part in this initiative, ensuring local children start their day with a nutritious meal. The participating schools are:
- Buckden CofE Primary School, St Neots
- Peckover Primary School, Wisbech
- Mepal and Witcham CofE Primary School, Ely
- Hartford Junior School, Huntingdon
- Hartford Infant and Pre School, Huntingdon
- Stapleford Community Primary School, Cambridge
- Upwood Primary Academy, Huntingdon
- St Laurence Catholic Primary School, Cambridge
- Great Wilbraham CofE Primary School, Great Wilbraham
- The Spinney Primary School, Cambridge
- Kings Hedges Primary School, Chesterton
- Northborough Primary School, Peterborough
- St John Henry Newman Catholic VA Primary School, Peterborough
Academic success for all
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson highlighted that the initiative aims to reduce the impact of background on academic success, giving every child the best start to their day.
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
Concerns over funding
While the initiative has been welcomed by the headteachers’ union, concerns have been raised about whether the Government’s allocated funding will be sufficient to cover the full cost.
Union representatives have emphasised that it is “crucial” for these financial concerns to be addressed before the programme is expanded nationwide.
What’s Next?
The pilot will be closely monitored to assess its effectiveness before a full-scale rollout across the UK. If successful, free breakfast clubs could become a permanent fixture in primary schools, ensuring children have access to a nutritious start to their day, regardless of their background.
