Opinion: Policy into practice - How a good breakfast can reduce inequality

A recent report indicated that almost half a million children in the UK aged eight to 16 skip breakfast, mostly among the lowest socio-economic groups. Unsettled behaviour and a noticeable dip in energy around mid to late morning are two very visible signs of children who have not had the nutritional start to the day they need. The knock-on effect on concentration and cognitive capacity is something about which many teachers are very aware. Several studies have shown that children who do not have breakfast display less accuracy, particularly on problem solving tasks.

That's why more and more schools are introducing a breakfast service. These are often developed as part of the extended school, but also link into a wider healthy schools programme. They provide a nutritious breakfast, often connected to wider activities before lessons start. For working parents such a scheme can be particularly valuable. It provides a popular and safe environment for their children and enables them to get to work on time. From this month school standards for food will also include breakfast.

The Welsh Assembly Free Breakfast Initiative introduced a commitment to provide all primary school children with free breakfasts. The scheme was not intended to replace breakfast already provided, but to ensure all children have access to it. Feedback from the scheme has been enthusiastic from all those involved, with improvements reported in health-related behaviour and wider learning.

In inner London, the borough of Newham has 26 school-based breakfast clubs that operate from as early as 7am until the start of the school day, with most clubs either free or subsidised. Schools involved are finding that providing a breakfast club improves pupils' diet and results in better concentration levels. Many Newham head teachers and breakfast club co-ordinators have commented on the marked improvement in pupils' attendance and punctuality, and for many pupils their attitude within school and towards learning has improved noticeably.

So enabling children to get a positive start to the day is shown to have real effects in reducing absenteeism, improving healthy behaviour and raising educational achievement. Building partnerships between health professionals, schools and others to offer creative, but often simple solutions of this kind will be crucial in the quest to reduce inequalities.