Yes, the government are working on making free school breakfasts available to every primary aged child in England. The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that the government have proposed will require free breakfast clubs in every primary school to ensure that every child, no matter their circumstances, is well prepared for the school day and can achieve their full potential.
The UK Government’s Early Adopters Scheme pilot kicked off in April, as the first of 750 selected primary schools began receiving their food deliveries. This pilot marks a positive step toward the Government’s commitment to rolling out universal free breakfast in all primary schools in England in the coming years.
However, at Magic Breakfast, we know that there are still many children and young people who will miss out on this provision. That’s why, as the pilot runs, we will continue advocating for policy commitments we know will help a nourishing breakfast reach those who need it most:
- Allowing flexible and extended models of how and where children receive their breakfast. Not just traditional breakfast clubs.
- Ensuring all children in SEND schools, no matter their age, are included from the start of national rollout.
- Providing expert support for schools, so breakfast provision aligns with the needs of local communities and school resources.
- Embedding a universal approach: where all children in a school can access the benefits of breakfast, free from stigma and barriers.
Poverty and deprivation don’t magically stop when children leave primary school and move on to secondary school. The same issues affecting primary age children affect secondary age children – sometimes more so, as older children are more likely than younger children to take on caring and domestic responsibilities if their family is in some sort of distress.”
Teacher, All through specialist SEN school, London
We want to ensure that this policy is as effective as possible. With almost 1 in 5 children and young people at risk of starting their day too hungry to learn, we know that it is essential that all pupils have the opportunity to start their day with a full tummy, fuelled and ready to thrive.
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