Find out how Silver Springs Primary Academy involves pupils from years 5 and 6 with its new free breakfast club by making them 'breakfast club baristas'.
Background
Silver Springs Primary Academy in Stalybridge now offers a free breakfast club available to all pupils through the Department for Education's free breakfast club early adopters scheme .
Early adopter schools are funded to deliver a 30 minute breakfast club, free and available to all pupils, which includes food. Schools have the flexibility to deliver the free breakfast club in a way that best meets the needs of their school, pupils and families.
How they staff the breakfast club
The free breakfast club is delivered by:
- teaching assistants
- breakfast club staff
- volunteer 'breakfast club baristas' from years 5 and 6
- staff from special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) classes
Pupils can apply to be involved as breakfast club baristas to help the younger children.
How SEND is supported
The school guarantees the needs of pupils with SEND are met by ensuring that the staff from each of their SEND classes are involved in providing the breakfast club. This means that pupils are always supported by a familiar face who knows them and their needs well.
The food offering
Each day the pupils get a variety of food to choose from including:
- fresh fruit platters
- cereals
- yogurt
- toast
- crumpets
- bagels
- breakfast muffins
- malt loaf
- cheese
- beans
Where the club takes place
The school serves the breakfast in classrooms and once pupils have finished eating they start early independent work which includes:
- reading
- spelling practice
- maths retrieval practice
- mindful colouring
- education apps
Feedback and impact
The school has observed that:
- pupils are responding well to the free club, especially the breakfast club baristas, and the numbers attending are steadily increasing
- it has improved attendance and punctuality
- it is encouraging healthy eating habits
- the club offers a good opportunity for children to socialise with their peers promoting confidence and interpersonal skills
Parents report that:
- it helps with the morning routine, with a smoother transition into school which reduces their stress and anxiety
- it supports their child's emotional wellbeing and social development
