Free breakfast clubs to be made available to families across Bucks Beds and Herts
They will be offered at some schools from April this year
Last updated 24th Feb 2025
The first schools to offer free breakfast clubs for pupils as part of the Government's flagship scheme have been named ahead of a trial of the programme.
Some 750 state schools with primary-aged children from every region of England have been selected to join the pilot, which is expected to run from April before a national rollout.
More than 30 schools in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire are among those rolling out the pilot.
The schools chosen for the trial are expected to offer a free breakfast to all pupils and at least 30 minutes of childcare before school.
The £7 million "early adopters" scheme - which will test the delivery of the programme ahead of a wider national rollout in England - was announced at Labour's party conference last September.
It is expected to run until July before being expanded as soon as possible.
The schools included across Bucks Beds and Herts are:
Luton
- Venture Academy
- Denbigh Primary School
- Parklea Primary School
- William Austin Junior School
- Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Education Centre
Bedford
- The Hills Academy
- Priory Primary School
- Turvey Primary School
- Hazeldene School
- Riseley CofE Primary School
- Greys Education Centre
Central Bedfordshire
- Linslade School
- Alameda Middle School
- Etonbury Academy
- Westoning Lower School
- Meppershall Church of England Academy
- Laburnum Primary School
- Swallowfield Primary
- Maulden Lower School
- Moggerhanger Primary School
- Shefford Lower School
Hertfordshire
- Flamstead End School
- Hormead Church of England (VA) First School
- Lodge Farm Primary School
Buckinghamshire
- St Mary's Church of England School
- Ashmead Combined School
- Hawridge and Cholesbury Church of England School
Milton Keynes
- Holmwood School
- Brooksward School
- The Willows School and Early Years Centre
- St Mary Magdalene Catholic Primary School
- Brooklands Farm Primary School
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the clubs would help to break the link "between background and success" for families "all over the country".
"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," she said.
The headteachers' union welcomed the expansion of breakfast clubs, which some schools already run, but expressed concerns that funding would fall short of the cost.
"It will be crucial that these concerns are addressed before the programme is rolled out across the country to ensure that it does not place further pressure on already strained school budgets, and that children and families can fully reap the benefits," said Paul Whiteman, general secretary of NAHT.