750 free breakfast clubs to be made available to families across England
There will be 12 in Norfolk
The first schools to offer free breakfast clubs for pupils as part of the Government's flagship scheme have been named ahead of a trial of the programme.
Some 750 state schools with primary-aged children from every region of England have been selected to join the pilot, which is expected to run from April before a national rollout.
The schools chosen for the trial are expected to offer a free breakfast to all pupils and at least 30 minutes of childcare before school.
Here in Norfolk, 12 schools will be part of the trial:
- Woodlands Primary Academy
- St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary Academy & Nursery
- Gooderstone Church of England Primary Academy
- Heacham Infant and Nursery School
- Blenheim Park Academy
- St William's Primary School
- Kinsale Infant School
- Brooke Voluntary Controlled Church of England Primary School
- Forncett St Peter Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
- Duke of Lancaster School
- Sheringham Woodfields School
- John Grant School, Caister-on-Sea
"The best start in life"
The £7 million "early adopters" scheme - which will test the delivery of the programme ahead of a wider national rollout in England - was announced at Labour's party conference last September.
It is expected to run until July before being expanded as soon as possible.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the clubs would help to break the link "between background and success" for families "all over the country".
"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," she said.
The headteachers' union welcomed the expansion of breakfast clubs, which some schools already run, but expressed concerns that funding would fall short of the cost.
"It will be crucial that these concerns are addressed before the programme is rolled out across the country to ensure that it does not place further pressure on already strained school budgets, and that children and families can fully reap the benefits," said Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT.