An introduction for schools

Magic Breakfast is a registered charity (registration number: 1102510). We deliver healthy breakfast food to UK primary school children.

We aim to target the poorest schools in the poorest boroughs and there is a huge demand to become part of Magic Breakfast. 

There is no charge for this service and no “catch” – we simply want to do whatever possible to ensure that no child starts the school day too hungry to learn.

Our criteria is that:

- Schools are primary schools

- Schools have 50% or more children eligible for Free School Meals

- Schools are able to show commitment to targeting need and reaching hungry children

- Schools have achieved, or are working towards, Healthy School Status

If you would like to apply to join the network  click here to download our application form  and return it to info@magicbreakfast.com.

Once your form has been received, if you meet our criteria, the school will be presented at our next trustees meeting for approval.

If you are approved by the trustees you will be put on the waiting list and, as soon as we have funding to cover you, we will come and visit you to find out more about the school and how we can help.

Once you have joined the scheme we will keep supporting you as long as we can keep raising funds.

Why do kids need breakfast?
Breakfast is vital. It raises blood sugar levels and kick-starts the body’s metabolism. Without it, the body simply runs out energy.

A number of studies have shown that childrens’ concentration, behaviour and academic achievement is better throughout the whole day if they eat a healthy breakfast.

For a variety of reasons, many children arrive at school having not eaten anything for breakfast. As a direct result, they are too hungry to concentrate and cannot learn effectively.

What do we provide?
The breakfasts comprise bagels, porridge, orange juice and breakfast cereals. The bagels are delivered on a fortnightly basis. The cereals are delivered on a monthly basis. Orange juice is delivered every week.

If needed, we can also provide the school with a freezer to store the bagels.

Bagels were chosen because they are low fat, low sugar, zero cholesterol and high carbohydrate – i.e. good fuel for the body. The honey wheat bagels provided are made from all natural ingredients, with no additives, oils, fats or preservatives. On a practical note, they are portable and low maintenance for the school in terms of washing-up.

Our experience shows that there is a certain amount of resistance to the bagels when we first start to deliver, however do persist, most of the kids love them after about 2 or 3 weeks. Toasted with butter they are a great start to the day.

What does the School need to do?
There is no charge to the school for Magic Breakfast’s service, and we do our best to keep paperwork to a minimum. However, we do require that:

- Someone is at the school to accept delivery of the bagels and cereal.

- There is a consistent contact with who we are able to liaise, who will be able to provide information about how many children attend the breakfast club and how often deliveries should be made.

- At the end of each school year the school completes a brief questionnaire about how the breakfast club is going and the impact it has on the school and the children.

NB - Magic Breakfast does not provide staff nor does it provide funds for setting up a breakfast club. However, we are eager to help with advice, contacts or resources to help schools start their own breakfast club.


Funding breakfast clubs

Magic Breakfast relieves schools of the main expense of breakfast clubs – the food. However, your breakfast club will still need funds to pay for any staff time or equipment needed. You will also need milk if you are having cereals delivered and you may also like to supplement the children’s breakfast with fruit or fruit juice.

Magic Breakfast is not able to provide funding to start breakfast clubs. Many breakfast clubs charge the students to cover costs, anywhere from 10p to £1.50. However, there are often funds which may cover the extra costs.

The best place to start is with your Local Education Authority, which may be able to help through any Education Business Partnerships. Also contact the local Health Promotion Departments and any local Education Action Zones or local charities. You could even try local businesses, which may be interested in building a partnership with your school.

Again, get in contact with Magic Breakfast and we will try to help in any way we can!