Children at Ramsgate Arts and Chilton primary schools are enjoying a bigger breakfast to get the day off to an energised and healthy start.
Tasty bagels and a wider range of cereals are now provided daily as part of the National School Breakfast Programme (NSBP) which is funded by the Department for Education and delivered by Family Action.
The initiative, which was launched by both schools just after the start of this term, aims to support schools in England to provide children with a healthy breakfast at the start of the school day.
The food is available from 8.15am and the cost is heavily subsidised by the DfE at both schools who are both members of the Viking Academy Trust.
Trust Executive Head Teacher Michaela Lewis said: “We ensure our pupils have a healthy and nutritious breakfast each morning to help them start their day in the right way. The additions from this new initiative supports our efforts and enhances that provision which is a great benefit.
“Our meal provisions across the board tie in naturally with our general wellbeing programme for all our children that gives them every possible support to make their school days as positive, healthy and happy as possible.”
Reaction to the tasty additions has been favourable. Mrs Lewis added: “Our new-look breakfasts are already proving popular at both schools with children and families.”
The Department for Education states: “It is important for pupils to start the day with a nutritious breakfast. Evidence shows that providing a healthy school breakfast at the start of the school day can contribute to improved readiness to learn, increased concentration, and improved wellbeing and behaviour.
“All participating schools will receive a 75% subsidy for the food and delivery costs of breakfast club provision until the end of July 2024. Schools will contribute 25% of costs. All pupils in participating schools are to be offered breakfast supplies at no cost to them or their parents.”
Schools in disadvantaged areas are eligible for the programme if they have 50% or more pupils in bands A-F of the income deprivation affecting children index (IDACI). This includes state-funded primary, secondary, special schools and alternative provision.”
The contract for the programme is delivered through Family Action, who source and deliver breakfast food products to participating schools. All breakfast products offered through the programme meet the school food standards. Schools are able to choose and order the food products and quantities they need for their pupils.
The new menu is in addition to the Trust’s existing popular breakfast clubs.
For more information about the initiative go online www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/breakfast/.
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