Newcastle City Council is urging local schools to seize the opportunity to join the government’s innovative free breakfast club programme. Schools can apply to become part of the 750 "early adopter" initiative, launching in April 2025, to ensure children across Newcastle start their school day nourished, focused, and ready to learn.
Latest data published at June 2024 highlights that 33.8% - or 10 pupils in a class of 30 – are growing up in poverty in Newcastle and the proportion of children eligible for free school meals in primary schools in 2024 was 39.6% (England average: 24.3%) and in secondary schools was 39.3% (England average: 24.1%).
This new programme will offer families 30 minutes of quality childcare before the school day begins, providing a critical support system for parents/carers and children alike. By becoming early adopters, Newcastle schools can gain first-hand experience of the programme’s benefits while also shaping its future.
Councillor Lesley Storey, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Newcastle City Council, said:
“Increased access to more free breakfast clubs would be a life line for many Newcastle families. It would help more parents and carers to balance work and family responsibilities by easing the financial impact of additional childcare, as well as ensuring their children are well-fed and ready to learn at school.
“This is an incredible opportunity for more of the city’s schools to lead the way on reducing food poverty and improving school readiness. By embracing this initiative early they can make a tangible difference for the children and families they support. I strongly encourage schools to apply and be part of this transformative programme.”
The benefits of free breakfast clubs include:
- For children: Ensures no child starts school hungry, promoting better focus, energy, and learning outcomes.
- For families: Reduces the financial burden of childcare and helps working parents manage their schedules more effectively.
- For schools: Improves student readiness and engagement, creating a positive impact on the wider school environment.
In addition to this national support scheme, the council has set up the Food in Schools Group working group to improve the uptake of free school meals and tackle issues related to food insecurity. They are also exploring auto enrolment for children in receipt of free school meals to ensure every child who is entitled to this benefit is receiving it. Some other local authorities nationally and in the north-east have adopted this approach with considerable benefits for children and for schools.
Nationally, more than 2 in 5 non-working mothers report that they would prefer to work if they could access reliable, affordable childcare. Over half of families struggle to find flexible childcare options that fit their needs. This programme is a key step toward addressing those challenges.
The free breakfast clubs are part of the government’s commitment to breaking the link between a child’s background and their opportunities. Early adopter schools will not only deliver free breakfasts and 30 minutes of before-school childcare every day, they will also play a pivotal role in shaping the long-term implementation of the national policy.
Schools interested in becoming early adopters are encouraged to apply now and be at the forefront of this transformative initiative. Together, we can ensure no child in Newcastle starts the school day hungry and every family has the support they need to thrive.