This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-20945553
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Blackpool's Devonshire Road School pupils enjoy free breakfast | Blackpool's Devonshire Road School pupils enjoy free breakfast |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Pupils at a Blackpool primary school have given the thumbs up to a pilot scheme offering free breakfasts. | Pupils at a Blackpool primary school have given the thumbs up to a pilot scheme offering free breakfasts. |
| The £700,000 project is being offered to all 12,000 primary pupils in Blackpool, regardless of their family's finances. | The £700,000 project is being offered to all 12,000 primary pupils in Blackpool, regardless of their family's finances. |
| Four hundred pupils at Devonshire Road Primary School got stuck in, on the first day of the three month trial. | Four hundred pupils at Devonshire Road Primary School got stuck in, on the first day of the three month trial. |
| Many pupils admitted they rarely have anything to eat or drink before school and those who did said it was rarely the healthy option. | Many pupils admitted they rarely have anything to eat or drink before school and those who did said it was rarely the healthy option. |
| "I don't often eat breakfast because I come from a large family and it can be rushed and a bit chaotic in the morning helping the little ones," said Tammy Lea Tyrell, 10, admitting she had really enjoyed it. | "I don't often eat breakfast because I come from a large family and it can be rushed and a bit chaotic in the morning helping the little ones," said Tammy Lea Tyrell, 10, admitting she had really enjoyed it. |
| "Getting breakfast here is very useful." | "Getting breakfast here is very useful." |
| After eating cereal with a banana and some apple juice, Tammy said she felt ready for the day ahead. | After eating cereal with a banana and some apple juice, Tammy said she felt ready for the day ahead. |
| Jack Snee celebrated his 10th birthday by breakfasting with his school-mates. | Jack Snee celebrated his 10th birthday by breakfasting with his school-mates. |
| "I normally just have cereal, but this morning I have had a bagel, orange juice and fruit. | "I normally just have cereal, but this morning I have had a bagel, orange juice and fruit. |
| "It's much better having it here - I hope it takes off." | "It's much better having it here - I hope it takes off." |
| While it has proved a hit with pupils, the scheme has come as a relief to the school's teachers. | While it has proved a hit with pupils, the scheme has come as a relief to the school's teachers. |
| Year 4 teacher Stephen Moalt, said children arriving at school without having breakfast has an adverse affect to their behaviour and their ability to learn. | Year 4 teacher Stephen Moalt, said children arriving at school without having breakfast has an adverse affect to their behaviour and their ability to learn. |
| "I have given children fruit out of my own lunchbox and it makes such a difference once they have had something to eat," said Mr Moalt. | "I have given children fruit out of my own lunchbox and it makes such a difference once they have had something to eat," said Mr Moalt. |
| "They get more involved and are more will willing to learn." | "They get more involved and are more will willing to learn." |
| 'KFC for breakfast' | 'KFC for breakfast' |
| Andrew Brannigan, who teaches year 5 pupils, has been at Devonshire Road School for 13 years and said food had always been an issue with pupils. | |
| He said the problem is not just about children who skip breakfast, "it is about having the right breakfast, too". | He said the problem is not just about children who skip breakfast, "it is about having the right breakfast, too". |
| "Some children say they have had last night's KFC for breakfast or a packet of custard creams and you can tell by their behaviour and hyperactivity," he said. | "Some children say they have had last night's KFC for breakfast or a packet of custard creams and you can tell by their behaviour and hyperactivity," he said. |
| "That can then have an adverse affect on all the other kids in the class, too." | "That can then have an adverse affect on all the other kids in the class, too." |
| Head teacher Neil Hodgkins said it was a great initiative because hungry children have caused problems. | Head teacher Neil Hodgkins said it was a great initiative because hungry children have caused problems. |
| "Some children are lethargic in the morning and it can be a job getting them going," he said. | "Some children are lethargic in the morning and it can be a job getting them going," he said. |
| "This guarantees all pupils have a good start to the day and will make them more alert and attentive and will also benefit punctuality and attendance. | "This guarantees all pupils have a good start to the day and will make them more alert and attentive and will also benefit punctuality and attendance. |
| "It also promotes healthy eating and hopefully establishing good habits for life." | "It also promotes healthy eating and hopefully establishing good habits for life." |
| The scheme was masterminded by Blackpool Council leader, Simon Blackburn. | The scheme was masterminded by Blackpool Council leader, Simon Blackburn. |
| He wants to extend the three-month project to include secondary schools in the town, which is among the most deprived in England, and provide universal free lunches. | He wants to extend the three-month project to include secondary schools in the town, which is among the most deprived in England, and provide universal free lunches. |
| Although the authority is having to cut £13.5m from next year's budget and 300 jobs are under threat, Mr Blackburn said feeding hungry children in Blackpool was "a priority". | Although the authority is having to cut £13.5m from next year's budget and 300 jobs are under threat, Mr Blackburn said feeding hungry children in Blackpool was "a priority". |
| He refused to lay blame on parents and said the authority should step in to make sure youngsters are properly fed in the morning and help them to focus on learning. | He refused to lay blame on parents and said the authority should step in to make sure youngsters are properly fed in the morning and help them to focus on learning. |
| Mr Blackburn said: "It is not the kids' fault and for a wild variety of reasons, because families are busy or stretched financially, it is not acceptable to have hungry kids." | Mr Blackburn said: "It is not the kids' fault and for a wild variety of reasons, because families are busy or stretched financially, it is not acceptable to have hungry kids." |
| He added he was in discussions with companies interested in providing sponsorship to help fund the scheme. | He added he was in discussions with companies interested in providing sponsorship to help fund the scheme. |