Why do breakfast clubs matter?

Top takeaway

Breakfast club provision comes in many shapes and forms – there’s no one-size-fits-all model. Breakfast clubs help ensure children are ready for learning and bring many other benefits, including improved behaviour and a positive, welcoming, inclusive environment. 

More detail

In the EEF podcast Breakfast club provision in schools, two primary headteachers talk about their breakfast club models, how they operate and the impact they’ve had. Lindsey McDonald, Chief Executive of Magic Breakfast, shares her insights and advice. 

Key points

• Both heads were keen to introduce universal, inclusive provision with breakfast on offer for all children. This chimes with the Magic Breakfast mission for barrier-free, stigma-free breakfast provision. 
• There’s no one-size fits all model for breakfast clubs. They might be held in the hall before the start of the school day, or in individual classrooms, or ‘grab and go’ at the school gate, or variations on all these.  
• Start with your objectives – what do you want to achieve through your breakfast club? What matters in your setting? 
• Breakfast clubs can be really beneficial for parents and families, providing a calmer, less rushed start to the day. 
• Pupils need to be fuelled for learning. No-one can learn and be at their best when their tummy is rumbling!

What impact had the headteachers seen? 

• Improvements in behaviour; ‘We don’t have suspensions anymore’.
• A better transition from home to school with a ‘soft’ start to the school day.
• Attendance improvements and a reduction in persistent absence.
• Improved nutritional intake and exposure to new foods.
• Positive experiences for parents and an improved sense of community.
• Less lateness: children are in and ready to learn.
• Opportunities for older children to support younger children and for children to take on responsibilities in a ‘family feel’ setting. 

Research studies have found beneficial links between breakfast provision and:

• exam results at GCSE
• literacy and numeracy progress
• attendance and behaviour
• return on investment and wider societal benefits. 

Funding models

There are charities which can support the cost of breakfast club provision. For example, National School Breakfast Programme provides a 75% subsidy to schools that have 40% or more children in IDACI bands A-F (income deprivation affecting children index).

Magic Breakfast delivers breakfast food to schools with 35% or higher pupil premium levels in England and Scotland, working with each school to devise their provision and give operational advice and support. They also offer equipment grants. 

Tips for schools seeking to set up a breakfast club

• Just do it! Start a group, a class, or one day a week, get feedback and keep going. Try it and you’ll see the benefits. 
• Find your in-school champions e.g. the teacher who’s ready to pilot it with their class. 
• Have an open mind and trial different things. 
• Test and learn: there’s no right or wrong way to do it. 
• All breakfast provisions are different! Take ideas from different schools. 

Questions for reflection and action

• If your setting offers breakfast provision, what benefits have you found it to offer? Does it have a positive impact on your school community? How do you know? 
• Are you interested in getting involved in breakfast provision? What more do you need to learn or find out? Are any of the links below of use? 

Reading and resources

• DfE case study: Benefits of breakfast clubs
• DfE guidance: Breakfast clubs early adopter guidance for schools and trusts in England
• DfE guidance: School food standards: resources for schools
• EEF podcast: Breakfast club provision in schools
• Magic Breakfast: Our Impact
• National School Breakfast Programme
• Pro Bono Economics research report: The Magic Breakfast model of school breakfast provision
• School Food Matters: Highlights from our Better Breakfasts webinar
• Need to Know: How much does a school meal cost?