West Midlands Schools Expand Free Breakfast Initiative with 84 New Clubs
More than 49,000 children across the West Midlands are poised to receive a nutritional boost as dozens of schools join a government-backed programme offering free breakfast clubs from April. The Department for Education has confirmed that 84 additional educational institutions will become part of the 'Best Start' initiative, bringing the total number of participating schools across the region to a significant new level.
Breaking Down Barriers and Supporting Families
The newly announced breakfast clubs will operate on an open-access basis, welcoming all pupils regardless of their background. Government statistics indicate that this inclusive approach dramatically increases uptake, with six out of ten families more likely to utilise the support when it's available to every child. This strategy aims to dismantle the stigma sometimes associated with accessing free meal provisions.
Diane Newton, Head Teacher at Field Road Academy, emphasised the transformative potential of the scheme: "For our school, a free breakfast club will enormously improve attendance and set our pupils up for a day of learning. The fact this club is free and open to everyone will help break down any stigma attached to accessing free meals, ending the perception that support should only be for those most in need."
Newton further highlighted the broader benefits: "Everyone, from every type of family, has something to gain from using a free breakfast club - from putting some extra money back in parents' pockets, helping them get to work easier, to improving children's wellbeing."
Proven Success and Tangible Benefits
Schools already participating in the programme across the West Midlands have demonstrated its effectiveness, having served an impressive 1.1 million meals to date. The initiative provides substantial financial relief for families, saving them up to £450 annually per child. Furthermore, it returns valuable time to household routines, offering parents up to 95 extra hours each morning.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson commented on the programme's national impact: "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."
Phillipson, drawing on personal experience, added: "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."
National Expansion and Future Opportunities
The government has announced that applications are now open for 1,500 additional schools across England to join the programme from September. This expansion aims to extend the benefits to approximately 680,000 children nationwide by the autumn term.
Frank Young, Chief Executive of Parentkind, welcomed the development: "This is good news for parents and especially parents juggling the pressures of work and school drop-offs. We know that parents want breakfast clubs and it helps them to get children to school and hold down jobs. It's particularly important for children to start their day well and get ready for school."
Comprehensive List of Participating West Midlands Schools
The following educational institutions across the West Midlands will begin offering free breakfast clubs from April:
- Oasis Academy Blakenhale Infants, Birmingham
- Cedars Academy, Birmingham
- Yenton Primary School, Birmingham
- Marlborough Primary School, Birmingham
- Wallbrook Primary Academy, Dudley
- Gossey Lane Academy, Birmingham
- Carmountside Primary Academy, Stoke-on-Trent
- Moorhill Primary School, Staffordshire
- Redhill Primary School, Staffordshire
- Our Lady's Catholic Primary School, Birmingham
- Merritts Brook Primary E-ACT Academy, Birmingham
- Christ Church CofE Controlled Primary School and Nursery, Birmingham
- Pelsall Village School, Walsall
- Hawbush Primary School, Dudley
- Pinfold Street Primary School, Walsall
- Anderton Park Primary School, Birmingham
- Holmer Lake Primary School, Telford and Wrekin
- Bellfield Infant School, Birmingham
- Woodlands Primary School, Telford and Wrekin
- Somerville Primary School, Birmingham
- Glebefields Primary School, Sandwell
- William Reynolds Primary School and Nursery, Telford and Wrekin
- Firs Primary School, Birmingham
- Al-Furqan Primary School, Birmingham
- The Shirestone Academy, Birmingham
- Hanley St Luke's Church of England Academy, Stoke-on-Trent
- Stechford Primary School, Birmingham
- St Jude's Church of England Primary Academy, Wolverhampton
- Oasis Academy Woodview, Birmingham
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Birmingham
- Oasis Academy Blakenhale Junior, Birmingham
- Alston Primary School, Birmingham
- Smith's Wood Primary Academy, Solihull
- Chase View Community Primary School, Staffordshire
- Salford Priors CofE Academy, Warwickshire
- Woodcock Hill Primary School, Birmingham
- Forestdale Primary School, Birmingham
- John Randall Primary School, Telford and Wrekin
- St Michael's Church of England Primary School, Birmingham
- Abbey Primary School, Walsall
- Woodhouse Primary Academy, Birmingham
- Lift Percy Shurmer, Birmingham
- The Bridge Academy, Staffordshire
- Edgar Stammers Primary Academy, Walsall
- Audley Primary School, Birmingham
- The Orchards Primary Academy, Birmingham
- Cicely Haughton School, Staffordshire
- Heathlands Primary Academy, Birmingham
- Albert Bradbeer Primary Academy, Birmingham
- Yorkswood Primary School, Solihull
- Fordbridge Community Primary School, Solihull
- Tame Valley Academy, Birmingham
- Chivenor Primary School, Birmingham
- Lift Lea Forest, Birmingham
- Lighthorne Heath Primary School, Warwickshire
- Redhill Primary School, Birmingham
- Windmill Primary School, Telford and Wrekin
- Carnforth School, Worcestershire
- Regents Park Community Primary School, Birmingham
- Springfield Primary Academy, Birmingham
- Camp Hill Primary School, Warwickshire
- Blue Coat Church of England Aided Junior School, Walsall
- Blue Coat Church of England Aided Infant School, Walsall
- Kingfisher School, Worcestershire
- Stowlawn Primary School, Wolverhampton
- Aston Tower Community Primary School, Birmingham
- Brickhouse Primary School, Sandwell
- St Saviour's C of E Primary School, Birmingham
- Trinity CofE Primary Academy, Wolverhampton
- Charter Academy, Coventry
- Oasis Academy Hobmoor, Birmingham
- St Matthew's CofE Primary School, Birmingham
- St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School, Birmingham
- North Walsall Primary Academy, Walsall
- Yew Tree Community Junior and Infant School, Birmingham
- Caldmore Primary Academy, Walsall
- Brownmead Primary Academy, Birmingham
- Gunter Primary School, Birmingham
- Timberley Academy, Birmingham
- Keresley Newland Primary Academy, Warwickshire
- Bushbury Lane Academy, Wolverhampton
- Deykin Avenue Junior and Infant School, Birmingham
- SS Mary and John's Catholic Primary Academy, Wolverhampton
- Field Road Academy, Walsall
This comprehensive expansion represents a significant commitment to supporting child development and family wellbeing across the West Midlands region, with the programme set to make a tangible difference in thousands of households from next month.
