Government school breakfast club pilot begins

Parents at a school in Walsall that is part of the government's breakfast club pilot said the free rollout will enable them to get to work.
Rivers Primary Academy in Bloxwich is one of 750 schools which will get a free daily breakfast club from April.
Over a third of schools in the pilot are said to be in deprived areas – with 82 in the West Midlands. Birmingham has the second largest number of schools in the programme with 24.
Schools will receive a lump sum for set up and a further amount for costs, including staffing. They will also receive a varying amount per pupil.

Lotty Summers, a librarian from Bloxwich, said she wouldn't be able to get to work without the breakfast club.
"It really helps with work-life balance. It's so exciting, we already get the extra help with tax-free childcare, and having even more help with this is amazing for us."
Parent Andy Hunt said he signed up his two daughters "straight away" when he found out about the initiative.
"It will make our lives a lot easier in the morning because it is one less thing to stress about.
"It gives the kids the ability to have a hearty breakfast before school and means we will be able to get work on time, which is a massive help for us."
Some MPs and headteachers have expressed concern that, at 60p per pupil per day, funding is too low. However, schools in deprived areas can get an uplift.
Leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch, took the government to task during Prime Minister's Questions, describing "60p breakfast clubs".
The Prime Minister said Ms Badenoch "should be welcoming them".
Becky Bailey, head teacher at Rivers, said she was "thrilled" her school is in the pilot, and confirmed 90 families have already expressed an interest.
She added: "Any head teacher who has agreed to be part of this pilot understands that there are going to be logistical challenges, but that is why we are embracing it so we can shape the project."

Shenstone Lodge School, 10 miles away in Lichfield, is also involved in the pilot.
As a special school, it will receive £3.23p per pupil.
Currently, the school offers children toast, milkshakes and apple juice when they arrive from their taxis.
Head teacher Ian Mitchell said, the initiative is a challenge "on a couple of levels" – including rearranging the taxis which bring the majority of children to school.
Mr Mitchell also said he needs to consider the staffing of the clubs.
"Overwhelmingly, we are excited about the project and determined to try to make it work", he added.

Year 5 Teacher Emma Stretton said it will also ease the strain on their pockets.
"At least half of the teachers here subsidise the breakfast because it isn't enough", she said.
"It is a godsend and it'll make a massive difference."
The government plans to roll breakfast clubs out to all schools in England.
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