34 primary schools across West Yorkshire to launch free breakfast clubs in national trial
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.
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 34 state schools with primary-aged children in West Yorkshire 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.
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.
The full list of schools, by local authority, is:
Bradford
- Dixons Marchbank Primary
- Dixons Manningham Academy
- Copthorne Primary School
- The Academy At St. James
- Beckfoot Priestthorpe Primary School & Nursery
- Baildon Glen Primary School
- Dixons Music Primary
- Lady Royd Primary School
- Ben Rhydding Primary School
- Co-op Academy Delius
Calderdale
- Scout Road Academy
- Trinity Academy St Peter's
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary Academy
- Luddenden CofE School
- Cornholme Junior, Infant and Nursery School
- Elland Church of England (Voluntary Aided) Junior, Infant and Nursery School
Kirklees
- Scissett Middle School
- Field Lane Junior Infant and Nursery School
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary Academy
- Manorfield Infant and Nursery School
- Batley Grammar School
- Scapegoat Hill Junior and Infant School
Leeds
- Kippax Ash Tree Primary School
- Christ Church Upper Armley Church of England Primary School
- Cockburn Haigh Road Academy
- Micklefield Church of England Primary Academy
- Dixons Trinity Chapeltown
- Robin Hood Primary School
- Bankside Primary School
- Park Spring Primary School
- Bramley St Peter's Church of England Primary School
- Carr Manor Community School
Wakefield
- Darrington Church of England Primary School
- Featherstone North Featherstone Junior and Infant School