School breakfast clubs are a lifeline - but staff shortages threaten survival

School breakfast clubs are a lifeline - but staff shortages threaten survival Primary school breakfast clubs are under threat despite soaring demand, with Kellogg's-commissioned research showing 73% of teachers report increased pressure over five years School breakfast clubs are a vital lifeline for parents, with nearly half admitting they would struggle to arrive at work on time without them. A survey of 2,000 parents of primary school children revealed that 35% would need to cut their working hours or request greater flexibility from their employer if breakfast clubs were no longer available. Further research of 1,000 primary school teachers found 73% said demand for breakfast clubs has grown over the past five years, with only one in five believing they'll be able to expand their breakfast club to meet that demand. The research, commissioned by Kellogg's, also found that 71% of teachers don't believe enough children have the access to breakfast clubs they require. The cereal giant is celebrating 15 years of its Breakfast Club Awards, honouring the staff, volunteers and children who go above and beyond to make their clubs something special each morning, recognising their dedication and sharing ideas to inspire other schools. Winning schools will pocket a £1,000 cash grant to enhance their breakfast club, with teachers and pupils invited to an awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament in November. Of the teachers who have applied for or won a cash grant over the past 15 years, 96% reported improvements in pupils' concentration, with 94% noting better punctuality. A further 93% observed positive effects on children's ability to form friendships and socialise. Dean O'Brien, UK general manager at Kellogg's, said: "We've supported school breakfast clubs for nearly 30 years in the UK, so we know the dedication it takes to make breakfast clubs happen day in, day out, and our research backs up that up. "At a time when many families are facing cost pressures and busy morning routines, breakfast clubs are more important than ever. "We're so proud to honour the care and support which teachers, volunteers and the wider school communities pour into their breakfast clubs every morning. "They are a welcoming, thriving part of the school day and help to set every child up for their best start." The research also showed the dedication it takes from a whole community to make breakfast clubs happen every single day, with half of teachers involved in delivering breakfast club provision and spending between three to five hours each week helping to run their club. Meanwhile, 46% of teachers say friends and family volunteer their time to assist, and a third say pupils' parents are amongst the unsung heroes giving up their time to help keep school breakfast clubs operating. Staffing shortages represent one of the most significant obstacles to expanding breakfast club provisions (27%), along with a shortage of dining space (24%) and lack of equipment (19%). Consequently, one in seven say capacity could reduce or their club could close if no additional support is provided in the next one to three years.