York primary schools urged to take part in new national school breakfast club scheme

Primary Schools across York are being urged to join the Government’s scheme to host free breakfast clubs, following on from the pioneering work of the city’s York Hungry Minds Appeal.

Last week [24 September], Chancellor Rachel Reeves, announced plans to fund free breakfast clubs in 750 ‘early adopter’ state-funded primary schools across the country from April next year.

In York, the clubs would build on the ambitious, ongoing York Hungry Minds Appeal, which has been set up by partners across the city to fundraise to provide healthy, free school meals to primary school age children in York.

Evidence links free school meals to improved educational attainment, school attendance and a host of social, financial and health benefits into adulthood, enabling all children to learn and thrive.

York Hungry Minds has been funding a trial providing free breakfasts for children at Burton Green Primary School for over six months.

A second trial providing free school lunches to children in years 3-6 at Westfield Community Primary School – ensuring every child at the school is able to enjoy a free school lunch – has been made possible thanks to funding from City of York Council, as part of its commitment to work towards York becoming an anti-poverty city.

Local councillors are urging state-funded primary schools across the city to register their interest in becoming early adopters of the new scheme, which will launch in April 2025.

Head teacher at Burton Green Primary School, Ash McGann, has highlighted the difference healthy, free breakfasts are already making at the school, helping children to transition calmly from home to school lessons and having a positive impact on attendance.

Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education,  explained:

“I very much hope more children in York will have the chance to reap the benefits of a regular, nutritious free breakfast thanks to this new national initiative. It builds on the work we and partners have already been doing in the city to tackle child poverty and reduce inequalities, thanks to funding from the council and the York Hungry Minds Appeal.

“I know school staff won’t miss any opportunity to support their children and I’d urge primary schools across the city to apply for early adopter status of the free breakfast clubs so we can help as many children and families in the city as possible.”

The impact of the pilots will be evaluated by researchers from the Universities of Leeds and York, with results expected later this year.

To find out more about York Hungry Minds or to donate to the appeal visit https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/appeal/york-hungry-minds/