Breakfast club helps pupils despite hurdles
BBCA headteacher is praising breakfast clubs for helping to get her students ready for the day, after overcoming challenges in setting up the provision.
Shirley Carrigan, who runs Co-op Academy Grove in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, said: "The children are ready to start bang on 8.20, they are much more settled and ready to learn."
She said staffing, preparation time and the amount of food needed had been among the challenges the school faced in the first year of the scheme.
"It was really difficult at first. There was a lot to overcome but we've just worked through it"
The principal found money had been tight, and had to seek a grant for a new fridge for the scheme.
But she added there had been support "to help share best practice" with other schools.
The school initially asked families to sign up for the scheme, but quickly realised that it worked better more informally.
"Parents appreciate it as a service whenever they need it, they don't have to book - they can just turn up on the day."
Dioleta Dragulin said her son wanted to get up earlier in the morning to go to breakfast club.
"He's eating what he loves and he's eating with his friends and playing games".
The mum found the club had also helped with getting herself to work while giving her peace of mind that her son is starting the day right.
"We know he is eating something because maybe at home he might be fussy," she said.
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