New IFS research finds that providing school breakfasts free to all children in disadvantaged English primary schools helps pupils to make two months’ additional progress over the course of a year. These gains seem to be driven by better behaviour and concentration in the classroom, meaning that even students who don’t eat breakfast at school can benefit from the improved learning environment. These benefits come at a low cost relative to other programmes with a similar impact on attainment.
The results of the breakfast club evaluation featured in this work were updated in December 2019. See the revised report here.
Authors
Claire Crawford
Claire is a Research Fellow at IFS, working on the determinants and consequences of participation in childcare and education for parents and children.
Ellen Greaves
Ellen, who was a Senior Research Economist at IFS and is now a Research Fellow, is a Max Weber Fellow at the European University Institute.
Christine Farquharson
Christine's research examines inequalities in children's education and health, especially in the early education and childcare sector.
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