A primary school in Telford has reported significant improvements in attendance and student readiness since launching a government-funded breakfast club last year.
Lawley Primary School was among 750 institutions selected for the pilot program in April, which provides free morning meals to approximately 120 children during daily 30-minute sessions. Head teacher Carol McQuiggan noted the initiative has created a "really positive impact" on the school community.
"Teachers report the children are more settled to learn," McQuiggan explained. "They've had 30 minutes of social time with friends, a healthy breakfast, and then they perform better in class."
The program has also helped increase attendance rates by offering families flexible morning options. "Parents can get their children here at 08:15, which sometimes works better for family schedules," McQuiggan added.
Students enthusiastically endorsed the club's offerings, which include cereal, toast, and porridge. Ten-year-old Lily said the sessions help her have "a calm morning" and feel "more ready to learn." Classmate Isla reported gaining energy for classroom activities and making new friends through the program.
Eleven-year-old Isabelle praised the social benefits, saying, "I feel like I can connect with my friends before the day starts." She particularly enjoyed the toast, declaring it "the best toast in the world" and requesting similar breakfasts at home.
Parents highlighted the financial relief the free program provides during ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Sam, a parent of three children at the school, noted that the previously £3-per-child daily fee made breakfast club "something we could never look at." Now, the free access helps her maintain two jobs while establishing better morning routines.
"It's made a big impact in enabling me to go to shift work and also run my own business," Sam said. "For us, it's a massive help."
Another parent, Anish, whose two children attend daily, emphasized the program's affordability. "We can't function without it, and it's light on our pockets—that's a big thing for us," he stated.
Following the pilot's success, five additional Telford primary schools—Holmer Lake, John Randall, Windmill Primary, Woodlands Primary, and William Reynolds—will now host similar breakfast clubs. Councillor Shirley Reynolds welcomed the expansion, calling it "vital support" for hundreds more pupils and families.
The program operates on government funding of 68p per pupil daily, which McQuiggan described as a "sustainable model" that has alleviated initial concerns about staff workload and financial viability.