Over 50 North East schools confirmed for landmark free breakfast ...

Families and children across the North East will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the government has confirmed 56 schools are to offer the scheme, putting up to £450 a year back in parents’ pockets.

From as soon as April, chosen schools will kick-off the historic programme, with an early adopter phase set to inform the government’s landmark national roll out which will give all parents access to the scheme.

Back in September, the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves confirmed thousands of primary school children were to get free breakfasts from April.

Delivering on promises made to working parents in the government’s manifesto, all primary aged children in early adopter schools will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day, helping to support parents getting into work by dropping their children off half an hour earlier.

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Schools are encouraged to offer healthy, varied and nutritious breakfasts, with examples from wheat bisks and porridge to fresh fruit and yoghurt. The early adopter schools also provide the perfect setting to host activities including arts and crafts, educational puzzles, reading and more.

Making sure no child starts school hungry, the scheme also has an important role to play in the government’s commitment to remove the stain of child poverty, as out of the 180,000 children who will benefit in the early adopter schools, around 4,700 attend schools in deprived areas across the North East.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who is also the MP for Houghton and Sunderland South said: "Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of our Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.

"Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.

"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."

Schools were chosen from across England to ensure the scheme tests and learns from a variety of locations, including those that do not currently run a breakfast club, and all will receive funding to cover food and staffing costs.

Kearsley West Primary School will be one of the 56 schools to have a breakfast club. Their headteacher, Jackie Fitton said: "We are delighted to be one of the early adopter schools. For our school, the funding provided will be a real life saver, ensuring we can provide a healthy breakfast and supportive start to the day for our pupils.

"Breakfast clubs have already made a massive difference to pupils’ wellbeing, providing them with time to settle in, socialise with friends and get ready to learn."