This week I visited Garston C of E to meet Head Rachel Dean to see how they are doing with their free school breakfast funding and to hear their plans for new school nursery funding they have been awarded.
Garston C of E has for many years offered free breakfast through Magic Breakfast to disadvantaged pupils, but can now expand that offer to all their children. Around 80 children have taken up the offer but these numbers are increasing and they are reviewing how they can logistically keep expanding. As Rachel told me, it is a fantastic way to get children into school earlier, allow them time with their friends before class and make sure they are fed and hydrated, meaning they can concentrate better and achieve more in the day.
The new Best Start nursery funding will allow the school to update their current offering and offer extra nursery places. Their existing nursery provision is in an older building but if they can maximise other funding they will be able to build a new fit for purpose nursery on site that will see children come through nursery into the school. As I saw Garston C of E has a lovely feel and I will be keeping up with their expansion plans and offering any support that is needed.