Families and children across Hampshire will benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the government has confirmed that 15 schools will offer the early adopter scheme.

Starting in April, selected schools will begin implementing the initial phase of the program announced last October, supported by £7 million in funding.

Schools are encouraged to offer healthy, varied and nutritious breakfasts, with examples from wheat bisks and porridge to fresh fruit and yoghurt.

The early adopter schools also provide the setting to host activities, including arts and crafts, educational puzzles, reading and more. 

Universal free breakfast clubs are central to the government’s Plan for Change, removing barriers to opportunity by making sure every child starts the school day ready to learn – with research showing the clubs can have a lasting impact on children’s behaviour, attendance and attainment.

In the South East, 74 schools will take part in the scheme. Of the 180,000 children who will benefit from the early adopter schools, around 2,200 attend schools in deprived areas across the South East.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of our 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 children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.

“Alongside our plans to roll out school-based nurseries and get thousands more children school-ready, this government is delivering the reforms needed to give every child, wherever they grow up, the best start in life.”  

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

  • John Keble CofE Primary School, Winchester, 
  • Endeavour Primary, Andover – Hampshire
  • Rownhams St John’s C E Primary School, Rownhams 
  • St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Aldershot 
  • Manor C of E Infant School, Hardley
  • Long Sutton Primary School, Hook
  • Hordle C of E Primary School, Lymington
  • Farnborough Grange Nursery & Infant Community School, Farnborough
  • Marlborough County Infants, Aldershot
  • The Ferns Primary Academy, Farnborough
  • Gatten and Lake County Primary, Isle of Wight
  • Barton Primary School, Isle of Wight
  • Court Lane Junior Academy, Portsmouth
  • Bevois Town Primary School, Southampton
  • St. John’s Primary and Nursery School, Southampton