Doncaster MP drops in to visit youngsters at city school's breakfast club
A Doncaster MP has dropped into a city school to see the benefits of its breakfast club for youngsters.
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP John Healey visited Edlington Victoria Academy to see first-hand how the school’s breakfast club is benefiting pupils.
The academy joined the first phase of Labour’s free breakfast club programme when it launched in September last year.
Whilst at the breakfast club, Mr Healey spoke with school pupils and staff to learn more about the positive impact the club is having.
Children enjoyed arts and crafts and a range of games, giving them valuable time to play and socialise with friends before lessons begin. They also received a healthy breakfast to set them up for the day.
Running every morning, the club not only gives pupils a free breakfast, but provides at least 30 minutes of free childcare each day, supporting working parents and contributing to efforts to reduce child poverty.
From next month, 644 children across John Healey’s constituency will have access to one of Labour’s free breakfast clubs, with Highfield Farm Primary in West Melton and Morley Place Academy in Conisbrough joining the second phase next month.
Mr Healey said: “It was great to visit Edlington Victoria Academy to see their free breakfast club in full swing and I was so pleased to hear about the positive difference the club is making to children across the school.
“The club brings children together before the school day, supporting their social development, whilst ensuring they have something in their tummies, so they are ready to learn.
“It was also encouraging to hear how the club is supporting children’s progress in class, as well as helping to improve behaviour and punctuality.
“I am really proud that this is one of Labour’s free breakfast clubs because of what we are doing in government. 6 million children across the country, including here in Doncaster, are benefiting from these clubs, with more to come.”
Emily Clark, Executive Principal at Edlington Victoria, said:
“Parents can drop their children off in the morning in the knowledge that their children are going to be fed, happy and healthy ready for the start of the school day.
“We have families who attend our breakfast club who are working families. It means they are part of our school routines and are able to relax with their friends, be fed and provided with wraparound childcare.
"We have seen some really great success so far. Our attendance is stable over 96%, which we are very proud of. We have seen a decrease in lates in the morning and we've also seen a real improvement in social, emotional, mental health and well-being because the children are able to relax and have that lovely time with their friends.