Louise Haigh MP: Carfield Primary School to be one of the first to receive landmark free breakfast clubs 

Families and children in Sheffield Heeely will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the 

Government confirms the first 750 schools to offer the scheme, including Carfield Primary School in the Sheffield Heeley constituency, putting up to £450 a year back in local parents’ pockets.   

From April, the school will kick-off the historic programme, with an early adopter phase set to inform the national roll out which will give all parents access to the scheme. 

The clubs come alongside a raft of measures designed to cut the cost of living for families, including the commitment to significantly cut uniform costs through a cap on branded items and complement the government-funded childcare.  

All primary aged children attending Carfield Primary School will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day, helping to support parents getting into work. 

Universal free breakfast clubs are central to the Government’s Plan for Change, removing barriers to opportunity by making sure every child starts the school day ready to learn – with research BELL showing the clubs have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and attainment. 

Louise Haigh MP for Sheffield Heeley, said: 

“I’m absolutely thrilled that Carfield Primary School has been chosen as one of the first to offer free breakfast clubs. 

“I’ve spoken to so many local parents over the years, who have been calling for extra support both to help working parents and those who are seeking work as well as making sure kids start the school day properly fed and ready to learn.

“I’m so proud of Carfield Primary for being part of this initiative. This is such an important step for families in Sheffield Heeley, as it will not only help parents save money but also give children the best possible start to their school day. 

“For too long, so many children have struggled to focus in class because they were starting the day hungry. Under the Tories, just 1 in 10 schools had this support. Today marks a fresh start – where every child gets a fair chance before the school bell even rings.”

The scheme also has an important role to play in the Government’s commitment to remove the stain of child poverty. Out of the 180,000 children who will benefit from the early adopter schools nationwide, around 67,000 attend schools in deprived areas. This will provide essential meal to ensure every child starts the day ready to learn.  

Schools were chosen from across England to ensure the scheme tests and learns from a variety of schools. Each breakfast club must be universal, offer 30 minutes of free childcare and include breakfast.    

Government research shows most parents (87%) think breakfast clubs are a good chance for children to socialise, and two thirds (66%) recognise the value of clubs providing educational activities.   

Breakfast clubs have been shown to boost children’s reading, writing, and maths by an average of two months. 

Too many children’s life chances are being scarred by rising poverty, with 1 in 4 children in absolute poverty as of 2023. The Government is determined to change that, with the breakfast club rollout being driven alongside wider work of the Child Poverty Taskforce, which is set to deliver an ambitious strategy to increase household income, bring down essential costs, and tackle the challenges felt by those living in poverty.  

ENDS