Families at Lindal and Marton Primary School and Waberthwaite School will be amongst the first in the country to get free breakfast club places as part of the early adopter wave of the Government’s new programme.
The free breakfast club programme saves families up to £450 a year and increase parents’ work choices. It will be rolled out in early adopter schools from April and to all primary schools next year.
Delivering on promises made to working parents in Labour’s manifesto, all primary aged children attending Lindal and Marton Primary School and Waberthwaite School will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day, helping to support parents getting into work.
Universal free breakfast clubs are central to Labour’s Plan for Change, removing barriers to opportunity by making sure every child starts the school day ready to learn – with research showing the clubs have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and attainment.
The scheme also has an important role to play in Labour’s commitment remove the stain of child poverty.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said: “Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.
“Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of millions of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.
“Alongside our plans to roll out school-based nurseries and get thousands more children school-ready, this government is delivering the reforms needed to give every child, wherever they grow up, the best start in life.”
Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness, said: “It is great that two local schools will be amongst the first in the country to benefit from Labour’s free breakfast clubs. Breakfast clubs have been shown to boost children’s reading, writing, and maths by an average of two months.
“I am grateful to both schools for putting themselves forward to be part of the first wave. I have already had lots of parents contacting me to ask about when the scheme will available in their own school, and I look forward to the full roll out of the scheme to all primary schools next year.”