More than a dozen local schools will begin offering free school breakfasts as they join a new national scheme.

In total, 17 primary schools will will start offering free meals this April as the next stage of the government’s national plan to introduce free breakfast at all primary schools in the country.

This latest phase focuses on schools serving communities where extra support can make the biggest difference, with further schools expected to join from September.

Children will be able to arrive at school 30 minutes earlier to receive free breakfast.

It is expected to save families up to £450 a year, while benefitting young people’s education as evidence shows these clubs improve attendance, attainment and behaviour.

Seventeen schools are expected to begin offering free breakfast clubs in April. | Submit

placeholder image — Seventeen schools are expected to begin offering free breakfast clubs in April. | Submit

Councillor Dawn Dale, chair of Sheffield Council’s Education, Children and Families Policy Committee, said: “It’s really positive to see seventeen more Sheffield schools joining the national rollout of free breakfast clubs from April. This will make a practical difference for families - helping with childcare and costs – and can mean a calmer, more settled start to the school day for children.

“The government is committed to extending free breakfast provision to all primary pupils over time, and it’s great that Sheffield schools are part of this next phase.

“The rollout forms part of wider action from Labour to support families with the cost of living, including capping school uniform costs, the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap, and 30 hours of free government-funded childcare – saving families thousands of pounds every year”

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Schools beginning to join the club in April include: