The government is funding the scheme to help children start school each day “settled, nourished and ready to learn”

School breakfast (credit Faruk Tokluoglu via Unsplash) — Photo by Faruk Tokluoğlu on Unsplash

Nine Enfield schools will soon be offering free breakfast clubs in the borough thanks to a government programme – benefiting hundreds of local children.

The nationwide rollout of ‘Best Start’ breakfast clubs from April aims to support local families with the cost of living, help parents balance work and childcare, and ensure children start the school day “settled, nourished and ready to learn”.

Schools joining the government’s programme have been selected based on the deprivation levels of the areas they serve. Nationally, over 300,000 children will benefit, saving families up to £450 a year. Evidence gathered from pilot schemes launched last year also indicate improvements to pupils’ attendance, attainment and behaviour.

The Enfield schools that will be offering free breakfast clubs are Alma Primary School, Oasis Academy Hadley and St Matthew’s CofE Primary School in Ponders End; Churchfield Primary School and Delta Primary School in Edmonton, St James CofE Primary School and Enfield Heights Academy in Enfield Highway; West Lea, a special school with multiple sites in the borough; and Carterhatch Infant School, near the A10.

Both Carterhatch and St Matthew’s were previously operating free breakfast clubs as pilot schemes last year.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Free breakfast clubs are revolutionising morning routines up and down the country, becoming an essential part of modern-day life for working families.

“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 – delivering on our plan for national renewal.

“I was raised by a single parent, so I know first-hand the struggles facing parents trying to make ends meet and how important it is to tackle outdated stigmas with practical support that people can feel every day.”

The scheme is backed by £80million of funding and applications are now open for a further 1,500 schools to join the programme nationwide from September, expanding access to free breakfast clubs to 680,000 children nationwide.

The government has also secured industry partnerships with Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Weetabix and Magic Breakfast to provide discounts, free deliveries and healthier meals for schools.

Ergin Erbil, leader of Enfield Council, said: “One of my top priorities is to tackle the cost of living in Enfield. Free breakfast clubs are just one of the ways that we’re supporting local families to save money.

“30 hours a week free childcare, the limit on how many branded items of uniform schools can charge for that’s coming in this September and more children than ever before able to get free school meals.”

Enfield North MP Feryal Clark has also welcomed the announcement and said: “I am absolutely delighted that Enfield North has one of the highest numbers of schools selected for Labour’s Best Start free breakfast clubs anywhere in London.

“No child can be expected to learn, concentrate or thrive on an empty stomach. Too many children have been starting the school day hungry – and that simply isn’t right.”

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