All pupils at York primary school to get free breakfast

The free breakfasts will be rolled out from the January term

All children at a primary school in York are to be offered a free breakfast to help boost their learning.

The meals will be provided to students at Burton Green Primary as part of the council's plan for York to be "an anti-poverty city within a decade".

It follows the roll-out of free lunches already given to all pupils at the city's Westfield Primary.

The council said free meals helped reduce health inequalities between children and supported their learning.

The free meals are funded through the York Community Fund York Hungry Mind Appeal, which is a partnership between the City of York Council and local organisations.

Councillor Bob Webb, executive member for children, young people and education, said: "We know that there are real benefits for our children from these measures, in terms of attendance, attention to learning and in terms of physical and mental wellbeing.

"And while there is more to do to make this happen in all of our schools, this is a significant step in the right direction, and I am thankful to everyone who is involved in making this work."

Since September 2014, state-funded schools in England have been required by law to provide free lunches to pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 2, who are not otherwise entitled to benefits-related free school meals.