Stories

Mon, 13 Apr 2026

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 'School breakfast club has best toast in the world'

Up to 120 pupils go to the free club at Lawley Primary and say it helps get them ready to learn.
A primary school in Telford, Lawley Primary School, has seen an improvement in attendance and pupil behavior since introducing a free breakfast club last year. The government-funded scheme, which provides a 30-minute daily session with a healthy breakfast, has been successful with around 120 children attending regularly. Head teacher Carol McQuiggan credits the pilot for its positive impact on pupils' behavior, saying that teachers have noticed improvements in their ability to learn and engage with their lessons. She also reports an increase in attendance rates since the introduction of the club. Regular attendees at the club praised the food and credited it with giving them energy and making them feel more prepared for their lessons. Parents also reported benefits from the scheme, including reduced financial burdens and improved morning routines. The success of the pilot has led to plans to expand the breakfast clubs into five more primary schools in Telford. McQuiggan noted that she had been concerned about the potential strain on staff and funding when the club was first introduced, but said that the costs have been manageable with a contribution of 68p per pupil per day from the government. She described the scheme as "sustainable" and praised its benefits for pupils and families alike. The introduction of free breakfast clubs has been seen as a vital support to hundreds of pupils and families in Telford, according to Councillor Shirley Reynolds. The expansion of the scheme will provide additional resources to help families struggling with poverty and benefit from improved attendance rates.