Hampshire and Isle of Wight schools taking part in free breakfast club pilot

Thirteen in the area have been named among more than 750 across England

Author: Ryan Burrows and Nina Lloyd, PAPublished 24th Feb 2025
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.

13 of those are in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

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.

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.

Here is the full list of Hampshire and Isle of Wight schools involved in the pilot scheme:

Hampshire

  • St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Aldershot
  • Farnborough Grange Nursery & Infant Community School, Farnborough
  • The Ferns Primary Academy, Farnborough
  • Marlborough Infant School, Aldershot
  • Long Sutton Church of England Primary School, Hook
  • Rownhams St John's Church of England Primary School, Southampton
  • John Keble Church of England Primary School, Hursley near Winchester
  • Hordle CofE (VA) Primary School, Hordle near Lymington
  • Manor Church of England Infant School, Southampton

Portsmouth

  • Court Lane Junior Academy

Southampton

  • Bevois Town Primary School

Isle of Wight

  • Gatten and Lake Primary School, Shanklin
  • Barton Primary School, Newport

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