Primary children enjoy free breakfast fun as Government pilot scheme launches
Pupils at two Redhill Academy Trust primary schools are supercharging their school days, boosted by brand new free breakfast clubs.
The free breakfast clubs at North Wingfield Primary and Nursery Academy in Derbyshire and The Carlton Infant Academy in Nottingham offer pupils a nutritious breakfast and 30 minutes of childcare at no cost to parents.
They were chosen to take part in the first phase of a UK government initiative, among 750 schools across England. The DFE's Early Adopter Breakfast Club Test and Learn Pilot aims to roll out free breakfast clubs in every primary school in England, ensuring no child starts the day hungry. It also provides the chance for children to engage with friends and try enriching activities; improving behaviour, attendance and attainment as a result.
Pupils at both schools enjoyed a varied and healthy breakfast, from cereal to bagels, yoghurt to fresh fruit, before engaging in a raft of co-curricular activities, including bike riding, archery, dance, boccia, handball and team games, to name but a few.
North Wingfield Primary and Nursery Academy launched the week with a visit from Youth Sport Trust athlete mentor and former BMX World Champion Kelvin Batey who shared his inspiring journey to sporting success, before getting everyone moving, motivated, and ready to learn.
Meanwhile, pupils at The Carlton Infant Academy enjoyed a varied schedule of exciting and dynamic
activities led by coaches from Grade A Sports, ensuring everyone was energised for the day ahead.
Upon visiting both schools’ breakfast clubs, Trust Primary Director, Julie 
Wardle said: “I am absolutely delighted with the way the schools have embraced the challenge of setting up new breakfast clubs. They have both seen dramatic increases in the numbers of children attending as word has got round about the exciting activities on offer.”
“As part of this pilot, our schools are making a positive difference to children's lives by providing them with the best start to the school day, ensuring that they are present and ready to learn.”
Our schools are making a positive difference to children's lives by providing them with the best start to the school day, ensuring that they are present and ready to learn.
Trust Primary Director, Julie Wardle
Adam Douglas, the Trust’s Sports Development Officer, said: "Our breakfast clubs give pupils a positive and active start to the day, the perfect recipe to achieve in school.”
“Active Lives Data from Sport England shows that less than half of children achieve the Chief Medical Officers guidelines of an average of 60+ active minutes a day. The combination of a nutritious breakfast and a variety of sporting activities throughout the week develops their physical literacy and helps towards meeting these guidelines whilst building relationships and a strong sense of belonging.”
Both schools’ breakfast clubs were well-attended, with smiling faces from pupils and staff reflecting the positive impact a nourishing breakfast and stimulating activities can have, preparing them for a fruitful day of learning.
It was the best week! I enjoyed all the different activities each day and loved going outside on Thursday to take part in different games, my favourite was the skittle game.
North Wingfield Primary and NurseRy Academy pupil, Isaac