Commenting on the Government's announcement that a programme of
free breakfast clubs in primary schools will begin next year,
Dr Patrick Roach – General Secretary of NASUWT
said:
“Pledging this money for the start of a roll-out of breakfast
clubs in primary schools is welcome and will start to make a real
difference for all children.
“It is undeniable that schools are working hard to pick up the
pieces of rising levels of child poverty, caused by the worst
cost of living crisis in half a century.
"We know that when children are not hungry they have improved
attendance, behaviour, and an increased capacity to learn.
"This announcement is an important step forward in tackling
childhood hunger which is blighting education.
"We want to see a future where no child is hungry, where all
children are ready to learn and where schools are supported fully
to deliver the very best education for children."
Responding to the Chancellor's announcement of plans to test the
delivery of the government's promised free breakfast clubs at 750
primary schools from April, James Bowen, assistant general
secretary at school leaders' union NAHT, said:
"Breakfast clubs can really help ensure children start the day
able to focus and ready to learn. While many schools already run
them, it is understandable that the government is looking to
extend their reach.
"It makes a lot of sense to run an early adopters scheme before
this policy is fully rolled-out.
"This should be an opportunity to trial different models of
delivery and to get a better sense of what does and does not work
as well as what the likely take-up will be.
"It will be vital that the government listens to the feedback
from these early adopters before moving ahead with the policy on
a larger scale."
