Dartford primary school to be one of the first to receive landmark free breakfast clubs for all pupils 

by | Mar 3, 2025 | Dartford News, Dartford Schools, Education

  • The new government is rolling out free breakfast clubs to save working families up to £450 and set children up to start the day ready to learn  
  • Knockhall Primary School has been selected as one of the first 750 schools in the UK who will receive a free breakfast club from April. 
  • All primary aged children attending Knockhall Primary School will access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day, helping to support parents getting into work. 

Families and children in Dartford will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs with the government selecting Knockhall Primary School as one of the first schools in the UK to be part of a new scheme to ensure children are school-ready and parents are better off.  

All primary aged children attending the school will be able to access a free breakfast and at least 30 minutes of free childcare, every day, helping to support parents getting into work. 

Knockhall Primary School will be one of 750 schools to offer the landmark scheme, putting up to £450 a year back in local parents’ pockets. 

After today’s announcement, with help and funding from government, the club could open as early as April – in an early adopter phase to help inform a national roll out of free breakfast clubs by this government. 

The clubs come alongside a raft of measures designed to cut the cost of living for families, including the commitment to significantly cut uniform costs through a cap on branded items and complement the government-funded childcare.  

Jim Dickson, MP for Dartford said: “I am absolutely delighted that Knockhall Primary School will be one of the first schools in the country to benefit from a free breakfast clubs. 

This is really welcome news for many parents in the area, and a clear message that this government is supporting residents in Dartford, looking out for our children’s health and wellbeing, and supporting working families.  

“It’s a testament to both the school and the government’s dedication to getting children school-ready so they are able to improve their attendance, attainment and wellbeing, as well as improving the household finances of local families. 

Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said: “Free breakfast clubs sit right at the heart of Labour’s Plan for Change, breaking the link between background and success for families all over the country.  

“Breakfast clubs can have a transformative impact on the lives of millions of children, feeding hungry tummies and fuelling hungry minds, so every child begins the day ready to learn.  

“Alongside our plans to roll out school-based nurseries and get thousands more children school-ready, this government is delivering the reforms needed to give every child, wherever they grow up, the best start in life.”  

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