Edsential Helps One of Its Schools Deliver a Successful Breakfast Club During National Pilot Scheme

A new government-funded initiative – the National School Breakfast Programme – is aiming to offer every child the opportunity to start the school day with a breakfast. While many schools have faced concerns over costs and delivery, Edsential has helped one of its partner schools, Hartford Manor Primary School & Nursery, implement a successful and sustainable breakfast club as part of the national pilot.

The programme requires schools to offer the breakfast club to all pupils, without capping numbers – meaning providers must be able to scale quickly while keeping costs under control. That’s where Edsential’s catering expertise has made a real difference.

Delivering Quality – Without Compromising on Finances

At Hartford Manor, the breakfast club has become a thriving part of school life, with between 52 and 84 pupils attending daily.

“Yes, thanks to our partnership with Edsential – and the economies of scale of expanding our existing paid-for breakfast club – the pilot is proving to be a success,” said Simon Kidwell, Headteacher at Hartford Manor.

The model works by incorporating the free offer into the existing catering operation. Edsential provides the food, staffing and allergen management – all at £0.55 per child – while the government provides £0.80 per child in funding. The school adds one teaching assistant to support the club and a small investment to games and resources has helped create a welcoming, engaging start to the day, while existing kitchen equipment made setup straightforward.

The Results So Far

The breakfast club is already having a wide-reaching impact:

High engagement: 52–84 children attend daily – the highest uptake among local schools.
Improved punctuality: Late marks have dropped from 1.2% to 0.67% since the club began.
Easier drop-offs: Staggered arrival times have eased traffic congestion.
No impact on paid provision: Numbers for the school’s existing breakfast club remain steady.

The pilot has even drawn national media attention, with features on BBC Breakfast, BBC News, ITV News, and The Guardian, highlighting the success of the scheme and the power of effective partnership.

Edsential’s Role: Making Breakfast Clubs Work for Schools

As a Community Interest Company, Edsential is focused on improving outcomes for children—not profit. Their support helps schools deliver food that meets the School Food Standards, with expert allergen control, trained staff, and centralised buying that keeps costs down.

“We’re proud to support schools like Hartford Manor to make government-funded breakfast clubs work,” said Tracy Moore, Head of Catering at Edsential.
“This model shows what’s possible when the right structures and partnerships are in place.”

Next Steps

Hartford Manor is now working to increase take-up among pupil premium families, and Edsential is sharing its learnings with other schools looking to deliver the programme effectively.

If your school is part of the National School Breakfast Programme and wants support to ensure it’s sustainable, Edsential is here to help.