First Kent schools in free breakfast club pilot revealed

The first schools in Kent and Medway to offer free breakfast clubs for pupils as part of a government scheme have been revealed.

Primary-aged children from 750 state schools across 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.

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.

Across Kent and Medway, the following 11 schools have been selected to join the trial:

– Salmestone Primary School, Margate

– Kingsnorth Church of England Primary School, Kingsnorth, Ashford

– Knockhall Primary School, Greenhithe

– Sunny Bank Primary School, Murston, Sittingbourne

– Chilmington Green Primary School, Ashford

– Westmeads Community Infant School, Whitstable

– Downs View Infant School, Kennington, Ashford

– Laddingford St Mary’s Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Maidstone

– St. Edmund’s Church of England Primary School, West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks

– Meadows School, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells

– St Helen’s Church of England Primary School, Cliffe

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says 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,” NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said.