More Plymouth schools to offer free breakfast clubs, giving hundreds more children the best start to their day.
Plymouth’s hugely successful programme of free ‘Best Start in Life’ school breakfast clubs is set to expand again, welcoming more schools this spring and even more in the autumn.
This universal offer is open to every child, in every participating school, ensuring that all pupils can benefit from a nutritious start to the morning. The programme, which already helps children arrive settled, energised and ready to learn, will soon be available to many more families across the city.
Four Plymouth schools already run thriving free breakfast clubs that open their doors to every pupil. From April, four more schools will join them, with a further group preparing to come on board in September.
Breakfast clubs have already made a remarkable difference in Plymouth. At Pennycross Primary, more than two hundred children now enjoy breakfast together every morning. Staff say the calm, friendly atmosphere helps children settle into the day with confidence while giving parents a little more breathing space during busy mornings. The stories from early adopter schools show that free universal breakfast clubs do far more than fill empty stomachs. They help children feel ready to learn, strengthen friendships, reduce pressure on families and support attendance and wellbeing.
From April, Marlborough Primary Academy, St Peters Church of England Primary, Victoria Road Primary and Austin Farm Academy will begin offering the breakfast club programme. With more schools getting ready to join this growing citywide effort from September.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “Every child deserves the best possible start to their school day. What makes this programme so special is that it is truly universal. It is for every child, in every classroom. When every pupil can start the day feeling settled, included and ready to learn, the whole school community benefits. I am thrilled that even more schools are joining the programme. This is an investment in all our children, all our families and the future of our city.”
The early adopter schools in Plymouth are also helping to shape how breakfast clubs will be delivered nationally, offering feedback and insights that will inform future government rollout.
Parents who would like their children to take part are encouraged to speak directly to their school. Every school manages its own arrangements and can provide details about how to sign up.
This expansion marks another step towards ensuring that every child in Plymouth has access to the support they need to thrive. With more schools joining the programme throughout the year, the benefits of a calm and nutritious start to the day will soon reach even more families across the city.
Find out more about free breakfast clubs: www.plymouthchildcare.co.uk/breakfast-clubs
