Exam study backs calls for free breakfasts for every state pupil
CALLS ARE growing for the expansion of the free breakfast programme in schools following a Yorkshire study which demonstrated, for the first time, the link between the most important meal of the day and GCSE grades.
While there has been much anecdotal evidence surrounding the issue, the University of Leeds research has provided concrete evidence that students who rarely eat breakfast achieve on average two grades lower at GCSE than those who do.
Lead researcher Dr Katie Adolphus, from the university’s school of psychology, said: “The UK has a growing problem of food poverty, with an estimated half a million children arriving at school each day too hungry to learn.
“Previously we have shown that eating breakfast has a positive impact on children’s cognition.
“This research now suggests
that poor nutrition is associated with worse results at school.”
The Government runs a national, means-tested free school lunch programme, but there is no equivalent for breakfast.
Charities Magic Breakfast and Family Action deliver a breakfast programme funded by the Department for Education, which provides free breakfasts for more than 1,800 schools in the most deprived parts of England. But many of the 24,000 state-funded schools still lack provision.
Alex Cunningham, CEO of Magic Breakfast, said: “Education is crucial to a child’s future life success and escaping poverty, therefore ensuring every child has access to a healthy start to the day must be a priority.”
The Department for Education said a policy proposal from Magic Breakfast to introduce school breakfast legislation is currently being considered by politicians.
However, the team behind the Leeds research now wants a breakfast programme to be offered in all state schools.
Mr Cunningham added: “Education is crucial to a child’s future life success and escaping poverty, therefore ensuring every child has access to a healthy start to the day must be a priority.”