30 June 2025

Why breakfast can make or break an exam 

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  • Campaigns
  • News
  • Fuel For Success
  • Fundraising

Written by Magic Breakfast Team

Cartoon-style illustration of a student in motion, wearing an orange shirt, black shorts and orange shoes. They are wearing a backpack and headphones around their neck, holding a water book in one hand while cheering with their other arm. The background is a textured purple square on a dark purple canvas.
Home > What we do > News and views > Why breakfast can make or break an exam 

Imagine this… 

It’s exam morning. Like everyone else, you’re stressed and anxious. But there’s something even more pressing – your stomach is empty. There’s been no time, no food in the house or no routine that allows for breakfast. And now, you’re expected to sit a two-hour exam that could shape your entire future. 

This is the reality for far too many secondary school students across the UK. 

At a time when focus, energy and confidence matter most, thousands of young people are stepping into exam halls hungry. The impact is real: research shows that students who regularly miss breakfast are likely to achieve two grades lower at GCSE compared to their peers who eat a regular morning meal. 

That’s a staggering disadvantage – one rooted in inequality. 

Exams are already a high-pressure time. For many students, they are a step towards further education, apprenticeships or career opportunities. But how can we expect young people to reach their full potential if they’re battling hunger while trying to remember equations or analyse texts? 

That’s where Magic Breakfast comes in. Our mission is simple… that no child should be too hungry to learn. 

Our Fuel for Success campaign is about more than just food – it’s about fairness. It’s about giving every student the chance to perform at their best, no matter their background or circumstances. We work with schools across the UK to ensure stigma-free access to nutritious morning meals, so no student is left behind simply because of what’s (not) on their breakfast table. 

But we can’t do it alone.  

Every supporter, every donation, every share helps bring us one step closer to ending morning hunger for good. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, student or simply someone who believes in fairness, you can make a difference. 

Join our Fuel for Success campaign if you believe every student deserves a fair start on exam day, and every day. 

This page was last updated on

30 June 2025


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