Portsmouth school among first to offer free breakfast clubs - list in Hampshire

It will provide all primary-aged children at Court Lane Junior Academy with a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare each day as part of a national initiative designed to ease financial pressures on parents, potentially saving working families up to £450 per year.

Schools with primary-aged children from every region of England have been selected to join the pilot, which is expected to run from April before a national rollout which is expected to benefit 67,000 pupils in disadvantaged communities during its initial phase.

The schools chosen for the trial, including the Cosham school, are expected to offer a free breakfast to all pupils and at least 30 minutes of childcare before school.

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan welcomed the announcement, saying: “I am absolutely delighted free breakfast clubs will be rolled out in Portsmouth and across the country to save working families up to £450 and set children up to start the day ready to learn.

“This commitment is vital to getting children school-ready so they are able to improve their attendance, attainment and wellbeing, as well as improving the household finances of local families.

“Through our Plan for Change, this Labour government is boosting parents’ work choices and children’s life chances.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson highlighted the importance of the scheme, stating: “Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Labour’s 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 millions of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.”

Here is the list of the Hampshire schools that will start offering free breakfast clubs from April:

1. John Keble CofE Primary School, Winchester,
2. Endeavour Primary, Andover – Hampshire
3. Rownhams St John’s C E Primary School, Rownhams
4. St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Aldershot
5. Manor C of E Infant School, Hardley
6. Long Sutton Primary School, Hook
7. Hordle C of E Primary School, Lymington
8. Farnborough Grange Nursery & Infant Community School, Farnborough
9. Marlborough County Infants, Aldershot
10. The Ferns Primary Academy, Farnborough
11. Gatten and Lake County Primary, Isle of Wight
12. Barton Primary School, Isle of Wight
13. Court Lane Junior Academy, Portsmouth
14. Bevois Town Primary School, Southampton
15. St. John’s Primary and Nursery School, Southampton

Government research also found that 87 per cent of parents view breakfast clubs as a valuable social opportunity for children, while 66 per cent recognise their educational benefits.

The scheme is part of a broader effort to tackle child poverty, with research indicating that breakfast clubs can improve children’s behaviour, attendance, and academic performance. Studies suggest that participation in these clubs can improve pupils’ reading, writing, and maths skills by an average of two months.