Welldon Park Academy has highlighted the early success of its new trial free breakfast club, with pupils, staff and families already seeing the benefits.
Speaking during his visit, Gareth Thomas MP said it was a “real pleasure” to see the scheme in action and praised the positive impact it is having on pupils’ wellbeing and learning.
“Breakfast clubs boost attendance, attainment and life chances, and it’s clear this policy is already making a real difference here at Welldon Park Academy. Children are starting the day with energy and a full stomach, and parents have the flexibility they need to drop their children off before work.”
The trial is part of a wider commitment by the Labour government to roll out free breakfast clubs across all primary schools, with more schools becoming eligible to join from next year. The programme aims to support families with the cost of living while ensuring children are ready to learn from the moment the school day begins.
During the visit, discussions also took place with school leaders about expanding the number of places available, so that more pupils can benefit from the scheme.
The visit concluded with a lively question-and-answer session with the school’s Pupil Parliament, where pupils asked about community volunteering, local environmental groups such as Harrow Litter Pickers, and ideas to improve play facilities in local parks – including calls for more much-loved spinning play equipment.
“It was fantastic to hear such thoughtful questions and ideas from the pupils. Their enthusiasm for their community and their school is exactly why initiatives like breakfast clubs matter so much.”
Further updates on the expansion of breakfast clubs locally will be shared in due course.
ENDS