Three schools in Harrow will be among the first in the country to offer free breakfast clubs as part of a new government initiative. The Welldon Park Academy, Weald Rise, and Glebe Primary Schools have been selected to take part in the scheme, which aims to help families by providing free breakfasts and 30 minutes of childcare each morning.
The programme, set to begin in April, is part of a wider rollout by the Labour government. It is designed to support parents getting into work while ensuring children start the school day ready to learn. Research has shown that breakfast clubs can improve behaviour, attendance, and academic performance.
Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, said: “I am absolutely delighted Welldon Park has been selected as one of the first schools to benefit from Labour’s free breakfast clubs and I cannot wait to open the club in April.
“It’s a testament to both the school and the Labour government’s dedication to getting children school-ready so they are able to improve their attendance, attainment and wellbeing, as well as improving the household finances of local families.
“Through our Plan for Change, this Labour government is boosting parents’ work choices and children’s life chances.”
The government says the scheme will also help tackle child poverty, with around 67,000 children in deprived areas among those benefiting. The breakfast clubs will be universal, meaning all children in participating schools can attend.
Rachel Bates, Headteacher at The Welldon Park Academy, said: “We are delighted to be one of the early adopter schools. For our setting the funding will help provide a breakfast and supportive start to the day for our pupils. We know breakfast clubs can make a massive difference to pupils’ wellbeing providing them with time to settle in, socialise with schools and get ready to learn.”
The initiative is part of the government’s wider childcare plans, which include extending wraparound care so that all primary school children have access to childcare from 8am to 6pm. The full national rollout of the breakfast clubs programme is expected to follow.
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said: “Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Labour’s 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 millions 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.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
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