Government pilot: Free breakfast club at Wiltshire schools

750 state schools for primary-aged children are set to take part in the pilot scheme, which is expected to run from April until July, and will be rolled out nationally if it's a success.

The schools chosen for the trial will 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.

In Swindon, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Seven Fields Primary School and Wroughton Junior School are all set to take part in the pilot.

In wider Wiltshire, Holbrook Primary School, Hilmarton Primary School and Amesbury Archer Primary School are also taking part.

The clubs will include at least 30 minutes of free childcare (Image: Getty) Although the trial is taking place across the country, the number of Wiltshire primary schools included in the trial is significantly smaller than the nearby county of Gloucestershire, which has 15 schools taking part.

Parents of children at these schools will be sent information about how to sign their child up for the free breakfast club.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has said the clubs will 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.

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A spokesperson for the UK Government added: "The government is committed to offering a free breakfast club in every state-funded school with primary-aged pupils in England.

"Breakfast clubs are designed to break down barriers to opportunity, as well as tackle the impact of child poverty.

"Free universal breakfast clubs give children a supportive start to the school day, ensuring they are ready to learn and make the most of the opportunities schools offer."

But the headteachers’ union, which also welcomes the expansion of breakfast clubs, has expressed concerns that funding could 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.