Breakfast Clubs extended

Applications have opened for the next wave of 500 schools to run breakfast clubs from April. To qualify schools will need to have 40 per cent or more pupils on free school meals. A further 1,500 clubs will follow in September.

Using insights from the early adopters of free breakfast clubs the government has increased the funding rate for mainstream schools to come into effect from April 2026. The minimum per-pupil funding rate for mainstream schools will now rise from 60p to £1.

Mainstream schools will receive £25 a day guaranteed, no matter how many pupils attend; plus £1 per pupil per day that attends the free breakfast club.

Special/alternative provision schools will receive £18.95 a day guaranteed, no matter how many pupils attend; plus £3.23 per pupil per day that attends the free breakfast club.

All schools new to the programme will also receive a £1000 start-up grant to purchase the equipment and materials they need to run their club.

All schools who are eligible will be contacted directly and can apply by completing an expression of interest form. They will contact successful schools in the new year.