Langton Matravers Primary School Set To Be Among The First To Open Free Breakfast Club

Families and school children living in Langton Matravers and the surrounding villages will soon benefit from Labour’s free breakfast club at St. George’s CofE Primary School.

The school has been selected as one of the first schools to participate in a national pilot scheme starting in April. The Labour Government’s free breakfast clubs aim to ensure that every child starts the school day well-fed and ready to learn, while also putting money back into parents’ pockets.

The pilot scheme will offer all primary-aged children at St. George’s CofE Primary School a nutritious breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare each morning. Research has shown that breakfast clubs can positively impact children’s behaviour, attendance, and academic achievement. They also provide an opportunity for pupils to socialise and prepare for the school day in a supportive environment.
Free breakfast clubs are also part of Labour’s broader effort to support families with the cost of living – meaning many parents will save up to £450 a year.

Primary schools have been chosen from across the country to help refine and shape the free breakfast clubs programme, which will be rolled out to every primary school in the near future.

Katy Astle, Headteacher at St. George’s CofE Primary School, said: “”We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the early adopter schools.  For our school, we are keen to do everything we can to support our children and by providing a healthy breakfast and a supportive start to the day will be hugely beneficial.  This will add further value to our current provision by offering breakfast club to all our children, which will support their wellbeing, provide additional opportunities to socialise with friends and time for children to settle in so they are ready to learn.”

Lloyd Hatton, Labour MP for South Dorset, has also welcomed the news, saying: “It’s fantastic that St. George’s school will be one of the first to open a free breakfast club. This will make a real difference to local families – supporting childrens’ education while easing financial pressures at home as well. And soon every primary school in South Dorset will have a free breakfast club.”

St. George’s CofE Primary School will begin offering the free breakfast club from April, and further updates on the programme’s rollout will be published in due course.