00:00The Free Breakfast Club program has been rolled out in primary schools across North East England,
00:05aiming to provide healthy meals and additional childcare at the start of each school day.
00:10The Department for Education states the scheme has already delivered over 7 million meals
00:14nationally and the funding was increased following a test phase to support wider expansion.
00:19Schools North East reports that many local primaries are hesitant to offer breakfast
00:23clubs for all pupils, citing staffing and cost concerns. Chris Sarraga, the organisation's
00:28director, explained that strict operational rules and recruitment requirements
00:32create practical barriers for schools. Paul Rickard, Chief Executive of the Durham
00:37and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust, said extending the clubs universally is currently
00:43financially unfeasible for the Trust's 4,000 pupils, even with government grants.
00:47Some schools like St Bernadette's Primary and Nunthorpe Middlesbrough report strong demand for
00:52the program, with head teacher Sarah Brady noting positive effects on people's wellbeing and readiness
00:56to learn. The scheme provides a combination of fruit, yoghurt, toast and cereals offering children
01:02time to socialise before formal lessons start. With the April expansion phase being oversubscribed,
01:08the program is expected to reach hundreds more pupils in the region. Funding adjustments have
01:12given schools an average of £6,500 annually to support staffing and resources, although concerns
01:18remain about long term sustainability. Nationally, the initiative aims to reach an additional
01:22500,000 children and local authorities are monitoring uptake to ensure compliance with safety and staffing
01:28standards.
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