A PRIMARY school trialling a national breakfast club initiative has seen numbers treble in the early morning sessions’ new format.

Weaverham Forest Primary School is the first in Northwich to take part in the National School Breakfast Programme – a new initiative funded by the government’s sugar tax and backed by charities Family Action and Magic Breakfast.

Children are welcome at the school from 7.45am to enjoy a healthy breakfast and stimulating activities, setting them up for the school day.

Headteacher David Erne said: “We used to serve maybe 11 to 14 children at our previous breakfast club, and now we average around 30 up to around 36.

“It’s a lovely atmosphere in the mornings. The families have all been incredibly supportive, as well, and it’s been very popular.”

Attendees can choose from healthy options such as cereal and porridge, as well as a protein-rich ‘magic bagel’.

Families are asked to donate if they can afford to, but the sessions are free and donations are for staffing costs.

Mr Erne said: “The club is made up of 25 per cent pupil premium children, who maybe weren’t accessing that service beforehand because our original breakfast club was £3.25 per session.”

With reading, puzzles and even shoe polishing on offer in the morning, the sessions are fun and help promote independence.

It is hoped that the scheme will continue into the next academic year, with the forthcoming summer term a chance to explore new activities.

Mr Erne said: “We are pencilled in until the end of the summer term, and will hopefully find out more about going forward for next year soon.

“We plan to take it more outside next term when the weather improves, and encourage a healthy lifestyle with more sports and activities like that.”