Primary schools in West Midlands to start free breakfast clubs

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.

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.

The West Midlands schools that are part of the early adopters scheme are:

Birmingham

• Erdington Hall Primary School
• E-ACT Nechells Academy
• Mansfield Green E-ACT Academy
• The Oaklands Primary School
• St George's Church of England Primary School
• Yarnfield Primary School
• Pegasus Primary School
• Hillstone Primary School
• St Wilfrid's Catholic Junior and Infant School
• The Oaks Primary School
• Ark Victoria Academy
• Hall Green Infant School
• Lozells Junior and Infant School and Nursery
• Bellfield Junior School
• Glenmead Primary School
• Woodthorpe Junior and Infant School
• World's End Infant and Primary School
• St Patrick and St Edmund's Catholic Primary School
• Anglesey Primary School
• Mapledene Primary School
• Wilson Stuart School
• Mayfield School
• Langley School

Dudley

• Manor Way Primary Academy
• Tenterfields Primary Academy

Sandwell

• Corngreaves Academy
• St John Bosco Catholic Primary Academy
• St Mary Magdalene CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School
• Shenstone Lodge School

Walsall

• Goldsmith Primary Academy
• Rivers Primary Academy
• King Charles Primary School
• Pool Hayes Primary School
• Oakwood School

Wolverhampton

• Lanesfield Primary School
• Penn Fields School

Coventry

• Kereley Grange Primary School
• Joseph Cash Primary School

Warwickshire

• The Nethersole CofE Academy
• St James' CofE Academy
• Wolvey CofE Primary School
• Goodyers End Primary School

Solihull

• Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Primary School
• Kineton Green Primary School
• Kingshurst Primary School

Herefordshire

• Longtown Community Primary School
• Little Dewchurch CofE Primary School
• Whitchurch CofE Primary School

Worcestershire

• Oasis Academy Warndon
• St Stephen's CofE First School
• Catshill First School
• Meadows First School
• Westacre Middle School
• Upton-Upon-Severn CofE Primary and Pre School
• Red Hill CofE Primary School
• Holy Redeemer Catholic School
• Sytchampton Endowed Primary School
• Blackminster Middle School
• Cookley Sebright Primary School
• Bewdley Primary School
• Riversides School

Shropshire

• Oakmeadow CofE Primary and Nursery School
• Highley Community Primary School
• Woodlands School

Telford & Wrekin

• Lawley Primary School
• St Matthews CofE Aided Primary School and Nursery Centre

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