Primary schools can now apply to be 'early adopters' of new school breakfast club offer

The new government has pledged to fund free breakfast clubs in all primary schools in England, as part of improving wraparound childcare and supporting the healthiest generation of children. 

The Department for Education has now announced the Early Adopters scheme for the breakfast club programme. This pilot will trial breakfast clubs in up to 750 state-funded primary schools, including those beyond mainstream provision, starting from April 2025. The aim of this is to test and learn what works, prior to expansion of the scheme in subsequent years. 

The breakfast clubs must run for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to the start of the school day, including provision of healthy food, and be available to any pupil regardless of their background or financial circumstances. Early adopter schools will receive funding to support food, delivery and staffing costs, with further details of the funding package expected in January 2026, at which point participating schools will be confirmed. 

Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP said:

“This is a landmark opportunity for schools to be in the vanguard of change, as we build back the foundations of an education system that breaks the link between children’s background, and the opportunities they have in life.”

“From helping with flexible working for families, to improving behaviour and attendance, the supportive start to the day that breakfast clubs provide will help drive high and rising standards for every child. This government is delivering change that will make a real difference to families up and down the country.”

Lindsey MacDonald, Chief Executive of Sustain's member organisation Magic Breakfast, welcomed the scheme, saying:

“It’s vital that the free school breakfast policy set to be rolled out for all primary pupils in England is fit for purpose and will achieve its intended benefits.

The scheme must ensure schools have appropriate, adequate funding which covers set-up costs and ongoing staffing, support and guidance, a nutritional and healthy menu, with flexibility being a key part of the offer to address the variety of facilities and needs of different schools. This requires a variety of breakfast models, as one size does not fit all.

Breakfast clubs offer a social and supportive start for students, and we equally want to ensure that those children who are unable to come to the club have a healthy and nutritious breakfast to kick start their day.”

Making free, healthy and sustainable food accessible to all children, from nursery to sixth form, is a key pillar of the Children's Food Campaign parents' manifesto Our Children, Our Future. 

Children’s Food Campaign Officer, Naema Jannath says:

"We wholeheartedly welcome this announcement and the positive impact it will have on children and families. 

We hope this initiative ensures access to high-quality nutritious breakfasts that meet school standards while also embracing cultural diversity, recognising that breakfast may vary for different children. We also hope the learnings can provide a sustainable blueprint for making breakfast clubs accessible for all children, including those beyond aged 11."

If your school would like to make an application or would like more information, follow this link.

Our friends at Magic Breakfast are also supporting schools to make an application. Please get in touch through their form.