Wandsworth Council expands free breakfast scheme

Wandsworth Council has announced it will be expanding its free breakfast scheme, from 20 primary schools to 40, following a year long pilot.

The council works with the charity Magic Breakfast to run the project – part of its School Food Strategy to tackle food insecurity and make sure all children have access to nutritious, fresh food.

Kate Stock, cabinet member for children, said: “We believe that every child, whatever their background, has a right to decent food, and that no child should be expected to attend school on an empty stomach.

“We know that levels of food insecurity in London are rising. Our work with Magic Breakfast means children can receive a free breakfast without having to face barriers or stigma. It is one of the ways we are creating a fairer borough for everyone.”

The expansion comes after a successful year-long pilot. More than 3,000 children received a free breakfast each day – nearly 60 per cent of the children in each school.

More than 90 per cent of schools said it had a positive impact on children’s readiness to learn, and 82 per cent of schools said it improved attendance and punctuality. All the schools surveyed agreed that the breakfast pilot had eased pressure on family finances.

Comments from Wandsworth parents include: “Sometimes I don’t have much food in, so it is good my child can go to school and have some food” and “Breakfast Club has made things so much easier for our family. The children are now at school on time every day, fully fed.”