Saxon Shore and Westfield Breakfast Club
The breakfast club was targetted at children 3 to 11 years, parents and younger siblings and involved Saxon Shore Infant and Westfield Junior Schools and the Greggs (The Bakers) as sponsors. Both the infant and junior school staff were aware that many of our children were coming to school either having had an unhealthy breakfast (i.e. crisps and a fizzy drink) or no breakfast at all. Following trials in school and visits to other schools where children had a better start to the day and seemed more ready to learn, staff recognised that if we were able to provide a healthy breakfast for our children it would be beneficial.
Aims and Objectives
Aim:
- To provide a free healthy breakfast for as many of the children from both Saxon Infants and Westfield Juniors who wish to take advantage
Objectives:
- Reduction in lateness
- Improvement in attendance
- Benefits for behaviour, concentration and standards
- To achieve an average of 20% to the club.
Methodology
We put together and interest group including staff from both schools (which are to amalgamated to a primary in 2009). A business plan was put together for costings and needs. We obtained full support from staff and Governors of both schools, Mr. Sykes the Headteacher and myself visited Star Primary School in London who run a successful breakfast provision. Tried to secure sponsorship/funding alongside money allocated from both school budgets.
Promotion
The breakfast club was promoted through the schools newsletters, an article in the local paper and Insight which is a community paper.
Staffing were recruited through a combination of volunteers and current staff taking on additional roles.
Activities / Sessions
The provision is for every school day from 8:15 to 8:45. Children sign in (Infant School Children get an orange sticker if they are being left by their parents so that staff know they need extra supervision and escorting over from the dining hall into school). Children have a choice of cereal (max 2 bowls), toast, spread and jam or marmite, and a drink of orange juice, milk or water. As children finish eating they can then move into the activities room to draw, play board games, talk to their friends or watch videos.
Sustainability
The provision started in October 2006 and it is intended that this provision will continue to be provided and the schools will continue to finance this provision if necessary because we believe in its value.
Evaluation
The success of this provision can be measured by the fact that the number of children attending is consistent and the responses of the parents and children are very positive and the whole session promotes a wonderful atmosphere of children chatting together and eating before school. Only one child has asked for sugar on their cereal (which we do not provide) and only 2 children have complained that they don't eat brown bread (wholemeal) (which is all we provide). Some children who were persistently late attend the club are therefore always in school on time now
Funding
The two schools are paying for the wages of some of staff and some essential but expensive equipment e.g. fridge, dishwasher etc. Greggs the Bakers provide free bread from their bakery as well as £10 funding per child per term to cover cereal, spreads, and drinks. They also donated £300 start up money for toasters, plates bowls , cups and cutlery, as well as games for the activity room. Parents are encouraged to make a small donation should they wish to eat with their children but younger siblings can eat free.
Management and Staffing
3 Breakfast staff, including the manager of the provision plus at least 2 volunteers a day. The whole provision is overseen by the Headteacher , Deputy and Bursar of the Infant School
Resources
- Type of venue - Dining Hall
- Facilities - Servery, tables and activities area
- Equipment - Toasters, fridge, dishwasher, plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery
- Other materials - Cereals,spreads, milk, juice and bread. Games and activities.
Lessons Learnt
Most obstacles or problems were avoided because we did a lot of careful research which included our visit to Star Primary School in London which proved to be very beneficial. Smaller problems such as the organisation of the younger children were resolved within the first few days.
Future Developments
To continue the provision on into the new Primary School with the amalgamation of both Saxon Shore Infants and Westfield Junior School which is to be built in 2009. We are looking to extend the range of food offered to the children e.g. fruit, yogurts and try to secure further sponsorship.