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Halifax Head Teacher Helps Fuel His Pupils

Breakfast is the key to kids' focus at Ash Green Community Primary School

With a hearty breakfast inside them, students start each day with the essential fuel they need to thrive

Head teachers are many things - experienced educators, brilliant organisers and much more - but did you hear about the head who serves up a, well, MAGIC breakfast?

Making Mornings Easier

Mungo Sheppard, Head teacher of Ash Green Community Primary School in Halifax, has recognised that, for some families, it's hard to fit in breakfast each morning. He's also found a great way to help. The school has joined forces with charity Magic Breakfast to help lighten the morning load on families struggling to provide breakfast - whether due to time or financial constraints.

Each pupil is offered a tasty breakfast every morning. This fantastic initiative is supported by players of People's Postcode Lottery, who have raised a whopping £3.5 Million to date.

Mungo said, "At Ash Green, we believe that starting the day with a healthy breakfast is essential for our pupils' wellbeing.

"Many families are struggling to make ends meet at the moment. It's really difficult even when one or both parents and guardians are in work. Sadly, some families have to decide if they should put money in the electric meter or buy food - they can't do both. Then if they do buy food, where does the money come from for the gas to prepare a hot meal? It's a really tough time for so many families at our school right now.

"A Magic Breakfast is one of the things we offer at Ash Green Primary School to help reduce this struggle. The charity supports us by supplying free and healthy breakfast items. We want to support families as much as we can. It may seem like a simple act, but it makes a big difference."

Breakfast Brings Focus

And these breakfasts are about much more than just providing a healthy meal.

"With a hearty breakfast inside them, the students start each day with the essential fuel they need to thrive," added Mungo. "They are happier and more eager to learn, and our teachers notice the youngsters are more resilient and focussed during class."

Of course, these meals benefit parents, too. It takes the - sometimes stressful - occasion of breakfast off their plates.

This simple initiative from Magic Breakfast and Ash Green Primary School is clearly having a positive impact on the lives of these young learners and their families.

Visit the Magic Breakfast website (opens in a new tab) to find out more.

Making A Difference

People's Postcode Lottery players are helping deserving causes like Magic Breakfast make a difference every single day. Read more about the range of Charities which our players support.