Hundreds of children across Walsall are set to benefit from free daily breakfasts at school, as nine primary schools join a national breakfast club scheme from April 2026.
The initiative forms part of the government’s Best Start programme, which aims to support families with the cost of living while helping children begin the school day ready to learn.
The schools joining the scheme in Walsall are Abbey Primary School, Blue Coat Church of England Infant School, Blue Coat Church of England Junior School, Caldmore Primary Academy, Edgar Stammers Primary School, Field Road Academy, North Walsall Primary Academy, Pelsall Village School and Pinfold Street Primary School.
These schools will join five others in the borough that have already been delivering the programme following a pilot phase. Goldsmith Primary Academy, King Charles Primary School, Oakwood School, Pool Hayes Primary School and Rivers Primary Academy were early adopters, with the scheme proving popular among pupils and families.
Each of the newly participating schools will receive a £1,000 start-up grant to support the setup of their breakfast clubs, including purchasing equipment and resources needed to run the sessions.
Anthony Orlik, Executive Head at Blue Coat C of E Infant and Junior Schools’ Federation, said:
“We are looking forward to offering the free Breakfast Club service to the Blue Coat children and community. The Club will ensure that the many infant and junior children we anticipate using this provision, are safely cared for from 8:15am whilst benefitting from a great breakfast every day!”
Councillor Mark Statham, Portfolio Holder for Children’s, Education and Lifelong Learning at Walsall Council, added:
“ We’re really pleased that nine more schools in Walsall are joining this scheme, enabling even more children to start the day with a free, nutritious breakfast so they are ready to learn.
The feedback from the five schools already delivering the scheme over the past year has been extremely positive, and breakfast clubs are helping children focus and make the most of their school day.
We also recognise the financial pressures many of our family’s face. This scheme not only allows parents to drop their children off a little earlier so they can get to work, but also provides reassurance that breakfast is taken care of and their child is starting the day having eaten well – it really is a win-win for all involved “
Field Road Academy, part of the Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust, is also among the new schools taking part. Paul Drew, Chief Executive of the trust, said:
“We are proud to announce that Field Road Academy has been selected to take part in the new Breakfast Club scheme, providing children with access to a nutritious and healthy start to the school day.
This initiative will make a real difference to our families. A nutritious breakfast supports concentration, wellbeing, and attainment, while also helping to ease morning pressures for parents and carers.”
The scheme is expected to expand further, with plans for a wider national rollout. Applications are currently open for an additional 1,500 schools across England to join from September 2026.
More information about the programme is available on the GOV.UK website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/parents-prioritising-primary-schools-with-free-breakfast-clubs