Schools invited to sign up to Best Start breakfast clubs

The Department for Education has opened applications for 1,500 schools to sign up for its Best Start free breakfast clubs in September.

Backed by £80 million targeting the most disadvantaged areas, the scheme builds on the government’s decisions to prioritise investment to help families with the cost of living.

Over 300,000 children are set to benefit from Best Start free breakfast clubs in April, while schools already enrolled on the programme have served up 7 million meals to date.

The government has also secured industry partnerships with Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Weetabix and Magic Breakfast, continuing until July 2026 to provide discounts, free deliveries and healthier meals. This will ensure top British brands can help schools benefit from discounts and free deliveries and kids to have access to healthier, varied meals. 

Diane Newton, Head Teacher, Field Road Academy, West Midlands said: "For our school, a free breakfast club will enormously improve attendance and set our pupils up for a day of learning.

"The fact this club is free and open to everyone will help break down any stigma attached to accessing free meals, ending the perception support should only be for those most in need.

"Everyone, from every type of family, has something to gain from using a free breakfast club - from putting some extra money back in parents’ pockets, helping them get to work easier, to improving children’s wellbeing."