As part of a pledge by the council's elected mayor to introduce a free healthy meal in primary schools, the University of Northumbria was asked to compare the benefits of a free breakfast, a mid-morning "second breakfast", a midday meal and healthy snacks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
Researchers said the council should introduce a free healthy breakfast because of the "benefits to children's social, nutritional, educational and psychological wellbeing" and the positive impact on learning.
Dr Susan Carr, project manager at the university, said early findings from the research, which involved interviews with parents, children and teachers, found having breakfast before the start of the school day helped children learn. "They weren't hungry, they had had their initial conversations with friends and the school day could start very efficiently and children could engage with learning straightaway," she said.
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