Hackney Schools Launch Free Breakfasts for Hundreds 2026

Key Points

• Hundreds of children in Hackney will receive free breakfasts starting from April 2026 as several schools join the government’s Best Start Free Breakfast Clubs programme.
• Hackney Council states that 10 schools will participate, though EastLondonLines notes four appear to already offer free breakfasts; clarification sought from council.
• The programme launched last April 2025 and has served over seven million breakfasts, with expansion set to benefit a further 300,000 children.
• Aims to ease cost-of-living pressures, support working parents, and ensure children start the day properly.
• Maria Carnevale, single mother of three, calls it “a fun, positive start” to her children’s day and notes it helps her get to work on time.
• Early evidence shows improved attendance, attainment, and behaviour in schools; parents save £450 annually and gain 95 extra work hours.
• Department for Education (DfE) partners with supermarkets and food charities for discounted, healthier food options until later in 2026.
• Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson states: “Free breakfast clubs are giving every child the best start in life”; shares personal experience as child of single parent.
• Diane Newton, head teacher at Field Road Academy in West Midlands, says it will “enormously improve attendance and set our pupils up for a day of learning”; highlights stigma reduction as free and open to all.

Hackney (East London Times) February 11, 2026 – Hackney Council has announced that 10 schools in the borough will join the government’s Best Start Free Breakfast Clubs programme from April, providing free breakfasts to hundreds of children and easing cost-of-living pressures for families. The initiative, already serving over seven million breakfasts nationwide since April 2025, aims to boost attendance, attainment, and behaviour while supporting working parents. Early data indicates parents save £450 yearly and gain 95 extra work hours, with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson praising it as giving “every child the best start in life”.​

Which Schools in Hackney Are Joining the Programme?

Hackney Council confirmed that 10 schools will participate in the Best Start Free Breakfast Clubs programme starting April 2026, bringing free breakfasts to hundreds of children across the borough. However, as reported by EastLondonLines journalists, four of the listed schools appear to have already been providing free breakfasts, prompting the outlet to reach out to the council for clarification on the exact rollout. This expansion aligns with the national scheme’s growth, which has already delivered more than seven million breakfasts since its launch last April, with a further 300,000 children nationwide set to benefit.​

The programme’s structure ensures accessibility, forming part of the Department for Education’s (DfE) wider efforts to secure partnerships with supermarkets and food charities for discounted and healthier food options, extending until later in 2026. No specific list of the 10 Hackney schools was detailed in the council’s announcement, but the initiative targets primary schools prioritised by parents amid ongoing economic challenges.​

What Is the Best Start Free Breakfast Clubs Programme?

The Best Start Free Breakfast Clubs programme, launched by the government in April 2025, provides free breakfasts in primary schools to support families facing cost-of-living pressures. According to the official Education Hub blog, the scheme has already served more than seven million breakfasts, with parents prioritising participating schools. A government press release highlights that expansion will benefit an additional 300,000 children, focusing on working parents and proper nutrition to start the day.​

As outlined in DfE announcements, the programme partners with British brands, supermarkets, and food charities to supply healthier, discounted options until later this year. Early evidence from schools shows tangible benefits, including improved attendance, attainment, and behaviour among pupils.​

How Does It Help Working Parents and Families?

The initiative directly addresses cost-of-living strains by allowing parents more time for work and reducing daily expenses. Maria Carnevale, a single mother of three whose children attend a participating school, described the breakfast club as “a fun, positive start” to her children’s day. She added:

“It’s made a huge difference too, meaning I can get to work on time.”​

Quantitative benefits include parents saving £450 annually on breakfast costs and securing an extra 95 hours of work per year, as per early evidence from the programme. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, speaking on the scheme, said:

“Free breakfast clubs are giving every child the best start in life”.

She elaborated, drawing from personal experience: she was “raised by a single parent, so she knows first-hand the struggles facing parents trying to make ends meet” as well as the “outdated stigmas”.​

What Evidence Shows Improvements in Schools?

Participating schools report significant gains in pupil outcomes. Early evidence indicates improved attendance, attainment, and behaviour, directly linking free breakfasts to better readiness for learning. Diane Newton, head teacher at Field Road Academy in the West Midlands where the scheme operates, stated the programme would “enormously improve attendance and set our pupils up for a day of learning.”​

She further explained:

“The fact this club is free and open to everyone will help break down any stigma attached to accessing free meals, ending the perception support should only be for those most in need.”

These findings echo national data, with over seven million breakfasts served and parental preference for involved schools.​

How Is the Government Supporting the Rollout?

The DfE is driving the expansion through strategic partnerships. As per a government news release, British brands are backing free breakfast clubs with commitments to provide food supplies. Supermarkets and charities offer discounted, healthier options, ensuring sustainability until later in 2026.​

This builds on the programme’s initial success, prioritising primary schools as reported by parents.​

What Challenges or Clarifications Are Needed?

While the announcement is positive, EastLondonLines has flagged a potential overlap, noting four Hackney schools on the list already serve free breakfasts. The outlet has reached out to Hackney Council seeking clarification on these discrepancies and the precise implementation details. No response was detailed in the initial coverage, but this underscores the need for transparent rollout to avoid confusion among parents and educators.​

Nationally, the scheme faces no reported hurdles beyond scaling logistics, with strong DfE backing.​

Who Are the Key Figures Endorsing the Scheme?

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has been vocal in support. She stated:

“Free breakfast clubs are giving every child the best start in life”.

Phillipson added a personal note: she was raised by a single parent and

“knows first-hand the struggles facing parents trying to make ends meet”

alongside “outdated stigmas”.​

Diane Newton, head teacher at Field Road Academy, provided on-the-ground endorsement, emphasising attendance boosts and stigma reduction. Maria Carnevale offered parental perspective on its practical impact.​

When and Where Is the Programme Expanding?

The Hackney rollout begins in April 2026 across 10 schools, part of a national expansion. Originally starting April 2025, it has reached widespread adoption, with West Midlands examples like Field Road Academy demonstrating success. Further growth targets 300,000 more children amid ongoing cost-of-living support.​

This initiative reflects broader government efforts to aid families, as covered comprehensively by EastLondonLines and official DfE channels.​