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An ‘early adopter’ primary school of free breakfast clubs has claimed they are not financially viable.
Broughton in Amounderness Primary School was listed as one of hundreds of schools across the country to be the first to roll out the government’s new 30-minute breakfast sessions.
But headteacher Mr Oliver McPhail told Blog Preston the money offered to deliver the breakfast clubs was not enough.
He said: “We were approached by the Department for Education to pilot the free breakfast club scheme earlier this year but, following further guidance from the DfE over half-term, we are no longer in a position to offer this service due the financial impact it will have on our budget.
“I think this was a position shared by lots of schools.
“We have contacted the Department for Education to remove the school from the list of providers.”
As of Tuesday (4 March) the school is still listed on the government website as taking part in the breakfast club scheme.
Broughton were the only Preston-based primary school due to be delivering the new breakfast club scheme at this time. The school has nearly a quarter of its pupils being eligible for free school meals – despite being in one of Preston’s more affluent areas.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education declined to comment on Broughton’s situation but said they were working to support all schools in bringing in the new breakfast clubs which are due to begin from the start of the summer term.
When the first batch of schools taking part were announced education secretary Bridget Phillipson said: Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: “Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of our Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.
“Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.
“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.”
The government in announcing the scheme last week said the funding given was to cover the cost of food, delivery and staffing costs and worked out at around £21,400 of additional funding per school compared to the existing breakfast club support offered. When asked by Blog Preston on the impact it would have on the school’s budget, Mr McPhail declined to give exact figures but said the additional overheads of staff time, food and other provision would not be covered by the proposed government funding offer.
Schools nearby to Preston also listed as being early adopters include Clayton-le-Woods primary school, Medlar with Wesham primary school, Balderstone school and Euxton St Mary’s school.
