The Department for Education has announced that five schools in Barking and Dagenham have been awarded funding under the first part of the National School Breakfast Club Programme.
This initiative aims to ensure children start their day with a nutritious breakfast, which is proven to enhance readiness to learn, concentration, wellbeing, and behaviour.
The schools that have been awarded funding are:
- John Perry Primary School
- William Ford CofE Junior School
- Robert Clack School
- Monteagle Primary School
- Richard Alibon Primary School
These schools will receive a 75% subsidy for the food and delivery costs of breakfast club provision until the end of July 2025. The schools will contribute 25% of the costs, ensuring that all pupils are offered breakfast supplies at no cost to them or their parents.
Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment & School Improvement, said: "We’re really pleased that our schools have been selected for this vital funding. Providing a healthy breakfast is essential for children's success, making sure pupils start every day ready to learn, and this in turn is shown to improve behaviour, attendance and attainment. This excellent programme will help our schools give children the support they may need."
The National School Breakfast Club Programme is open to schools in disadvantaged areas with 40% or more pupils in bands A-F of the income deprivation affecting children index.
The programme is managed by Family Action, which will source and deliver breakfast food products to participating schools.
More information about Family Action can be found here: National School Breakfast Programme - Family Action