The first Leicester and Leicestershire schools set to dish up free breakfasts to pupils have been revealed. The government-backed scheme will see 16 schools across the city and county serve up morning meals and childcare starting in April as part of a £7 million trial.
The Department for Education (DfE) said each participating school will open its doors early to provide breakfast and activities before lessons begin. Schools in areas including South Wigston, Birstall, Shepshed and Hinckley are among those selected to take part in the countywide scheme.
The news comes months after Leicester City Council increased school meal prices by 28p to £2.81 per meal in November. The council said at the time that schools would need to make up any shortfall in their free school meal budgets.
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Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the clubs would help break the link "between background and success" for families across the country. According to the DfE, the scheme could help working families save up to £450 a year in childcare costs.
The DfE said schools selected for the scheme will contact families directly about how to sign up. The initiative is part of a national trial involving 750 state schools with primary-aged children.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of headteachers' union NAHT, welcomed the expansion but raised concerns about funding. He told the PA news agency said: "It will be crucial that these concerns are addressed before the programme is rolled out across the country to ensure that it does not place further pressure on already strained school budgets, and that children and families can fully reap the benefits."
The government said the scheme would be expanded nationwide after the trial period. According to the Department for Education, it is part of wider efforts to ease living costs for families.
The full list of schools taking part:
Leicestershire:
- Parkland Primary School, South Wigston
- Captains Close Primary School
- Riverside Community Primary School, Birstall
- Griffydam Primary School
- Worthington School
- Oxley Primary School, Shepshed
- Witherley Church of England Primary School
- Dorothy Goodman School, Hinckley
Leicester:
- Merrydale Junior School
- Braunstone Community Primary School
- Woodstock Primary Academy
- Heatherbrook Primary Academy
- Abbey Mead Primary Academy
- Buswells Lodge Primary School
- Krishna Avanti Primary School
- Avanti Fields School
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