More families in Bath and North East Somerset will benefit from free school breakfast clubs from April, as the national programme expands across the West of England.
Fifteen additional schools across the region will begin offering free breakfasts, bringing the total taking part in the West to 24. The scheme is backed by an £80m government investment and aims to reduce child hunger, ease pressure on family budgets and help children start the day ready to learn.
In Bath & North East Somerset, new schools joining the programme from April include Twerton Infant school, St Martin’s Garden Primary school and North Star 180.
Mayor of the West of England Helen Godwin said, “No child should start the school day hungry, and every family deserves support to thrive. Expanding free breakfast clubs across the West is practical help that saves families money, gives children the energy and focus they need, and ensures they are ready to engage, learn and enjoy school.”
She said the expansion plays a key role in delivering the West of England Child Poverty Action Plan, which sets out a regional approach to tackling poverty and supporting families experiencing hardship.
Alongside breakfast clubs, the plan includes measures to support parents into work and skills development, improve access to affordable transport and childcare, and strengthen local support for families most in need.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said, “From settling a child into the school day to helping parents get to work, free breakfast clubs are giving every child the best start in life.”
Evidence from the programme’s test-and-learn phase shows breakfast clubs can improve attendance, punctuality and focus in class, and lead to up to two months’ additional progress in maths, reading and writing for children aged five to seven.
Schools already taking part in the area include St Michael’s Junior school in Twerton and Peasedown St John Primary school.
The announcement comes during the same week MPs voted to scrap the two-child benefit cap, a move welcomed by regional leaders and expected to provide additional financial support for families across Bath and North East Somerset.
