Supporting children and easing pressure on family finances are two of the most important things we can do as a community. That’s why I’m pleased that six more schools in North West Cambridgeshire are now eligible to apply for fully funded breakfast clubs, as part of the Government’s expanded national rollout.
Applications opened this week for the next cohort of 500 schools that will begin offering free breakfast clubs from April 2026. Another 1,500 will follow in September. For families in our area, this could make a real difference to the start of the school day.
We’ve already seen the benefits locally. Earlier this year, Northborough Primary School and St John Henry Newman Catholic Primary School in Hampton became some of the first in the country to offer fully funded breakfast clubs through the programme. Staff have spoken about how children arrive more settled, more confident and ready to learn. Parents have told me how much it takes the strain off a busy morning.
The next phase of the rollout focuses on areas where families are feeling the sharpest financial pressure. Schools with at least 40% of pupils eligible for free school meals are being prioritised in this round. With the cost of living still high, breakfast clubs are one of the most practical forms of support we can provide. For many parents, they help take pressure off both time and household budgets – potentially saving up to £450 a year.
The funding model has also been strengthened. Schools will receive a higher per-child rate, plus a guaranteed amount each day to help with staffing and administration. This gives schools the stability they need to run clubs properly and means children get the best possible start to their morning.
I’ve written to every eligible school in North West Cambridgeshire to encourage them to apply and to set out the support available. Each school knows its pupils and community best, and I want to make sure none miss out on the chance to take part.
Breakfast clubs aren’t just about food. They support attendance, boost concentration and help children make additional progress in core subjects. The evidence from the test-and-learn phase has been clear, and it reflects what families have told me directly: that having a reliable, healthy start to the day takes away stress and helps children settle into learning with confidence.
This rollout also forms part of wider work to improve children’s life chances, including expanding free school meals to every family on Universal Credit and increasing investment in early years and childcare. Together, these changes will make a real difference to families across our region.
We promised to take practical steps to support children and ease the cost of living, and this programme is an important part of that. I’ll continue working with local schools to make sure every eligible child in North West Cambridgeshire can benefit.