- 28/02/2025
- Posted by: Valerie Vaz MP
- Category: Local News, News
By a happy coincidence, I had arranged to visit Rivers Primary Academy which is in partnership with Goldsmith Primary Academy and run by the Windsor Trust on Friday 28 February 2025. And on 24 February 2025 the Government announced the schools who would be named as early adopters of the Breakfast clubs.
Rivers and Goldsmith are among the 750 named by the Secretary of State to roll out Breakfast clubs and I was told by the Heads on my visit that 60% of parents have signed up for it.
The Secretary of State for Education Bridget Philipson MP said that “Breakfast clubs sit at the heart of the Government’s Plan for Change breaking the link between background and success and give every child the best start in life.”
I met the Headteachers Becky Bailey, Rivers Primary Academy and Ben Wakeman, Head of Goldsmith Primary Academy.
I was delighted that the 2 schools in Walsall and Bloxwich are determined to make these clubs work for children and their families. Breakfast clubs will mean parents can save an estimated £450 a year. Parents will be able to drop their children at school and there will be no need to pay for childcare for 30 minutes before the school day starts. Parents can be reassured that their children will get a healthy breakfast in a safe environment. Children will be ready to start their school day without being hungry and can concentrate on their exciting school day. Schools will offer healthy, varied and nutritious breakfasts, and schools are encouraged to host activities including arts and crafts, educational puzzles, reading and more.
Once this has been trialled and it starts in April 2025, the Department for Education will evaluate it and roll it out to all schools.
It was good to sit down with the leadership pupils who asked me questions about my work as an MP and the school values and the members of School Senior Leaders to discuss issues that affect the Schools.
Rivers Primary Academy – https://www.riversprimary.org.uk/
Goldsmith Primary Academy https://www.goldsmithprimary.org.uk/