Three schools in Harrow have become early adopters of free breakfast clubs, a pilot scheme run by the government designed to provide children with a ‘nourishing and energising’ start to the day. The North London participants suggest that early signs have shown it to be a ‘resounding success’ but have warned that without additional funding it will ‘place further strain’ on school budgets.
Last week, the government’s Early Adopter Free Breakfast Club initiative was rolled out in 750 primary schools across England, providing 30-minute sessions for children before the start of the school day and includes activities including archery and football. As part of the programme, schools receive a lump sum to help with the initial set-up costs and then a further recurring payment of around £1,000 to cover the cost of food, delivery and staffing costs – which could total £23,000 a year.
Glebe Primary School, Welldon Academy, and Weald Rise Primary School in Harrow are three of the schools taking part in the pilot, which is expected to be expanded more widely following the initial phase. Feedback from two of the schools indicate that it has made a positive impact in supporting children’s ‘wellbeing and readiness to learn’.
Children are said to arrive at school ‘with energy, enthusiasm, and smiles’, whilst teachers have already started to note an improvement in concentration, behaviour, and engagement in lessons.
Family Support Officer of Glebe Primary School, Georgina Esmond, said: “We’ve seen a real difference in the children. They’re coming into class happier, more settled, and ready to learn. It’s been heartening to watch how something so simple can make such a powerful difference.”
As part of the Pegasus Partnership Trust, Welldon Park Academy has been offered additional help and support with the setup, staffing and operations of the Breakfast Club. Associate Headteacher of The Welldon Park Academy, Rachel Bates, said: “The support from the trust has made it possible for us to create a well-run and inclusive space that really works for our families. It’s been a wonderful way to bring our community together and start the day on a positive note.”
However, despite the benefits to the children, both schools have acknowledged the potential for ‘ongoing challenges’ in keeping the programme running in the longer-term. The club creates ‘significant logistical and staffing pressures’, according to Glebe, and the current funding is ‘not sufficient to cover costs without placing further strain on school budgets – particularly with the looming possibility of unfunded pay increases for staff’.
CEO of The Pegasus Partnership Trust, Executive Headteacher for The Welldon Park Academy and Headteacher for Glebe Primary School, Sash Hamidi, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “We want to do what’s right for our children, but we’re constantly having to stretch every penny.
“Our staff deserve fair pay, and we support that wholeheartedly. But without adequate funding from central sources, schools are being forced to make increasingly difficult decisions about how to maintain and expand initiatives like this.”
He added: “One week in and we can feel the financial pressures likely to come in the future, but we are balancing this against children’s wellbeing, focused learning and supporting our families. Increasing the breakfast funding would be a positive, sustainable way forward.
“We hope to continue this important provision. The benefits are too great to ignore, and we will keep working with our partners and community to find sustainable solutions. Every child deserves to start their day fed, cared for, and ready to thrive. We’re proud of what’s been achieved so far, and we’re determined to keep building on it.”
The government hopes that the initiative will help parents get into work, ‘giving them up to 95 additional hours back to juggle busy mornings’ and expect it to save families up to £450 a year. The initial rollout provided breakfast for around 180,000 children across the country. Harrow Council was approached for comment but did not respond ahead of publication.
Harrow Labour Group’s Shadow Portfolio Holder for Education and Children’s Services, Cllr Stephen Hickman, said of the initiative: “Not only are Labour’s funded breakfast clubs clever economics, but they do a lot of good in our community – saving families £450 a year, improving academic achievement and ensuring no child starts the day hungry. Giving parents 95 hours a year back also benefits us all as it allows parents to work more, earn more money for their families and increase their economic output.
“I very much look forward to hearing how our early adopter schools, Welldon Park Academy, Weald Rise Primary School and Glebe Primary School, fare with the scheme and look forward to a rollout across all Harrow primary schools. Labour’s breakfast clubs are a first step to unlocking social benefits, closing the attainment gap and boosting the economy. Breakfast clubs are an investment in Britain and Harrow’s future.”
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