Commenting as the government launches its free school breakfast club 'early adopter' scheme, Paul Whiteman, general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: “There is no doubt that a good breakfast can be positive for children’s health and help them to focus on their learning.

“While we welcome the intentions behind the programme, the initial feedback we are hearing from many school leaders participating in the pilot is that the funding just isn’t sufficient. At a time when school budgets are already stretched, most can ill-afford to subsidise this shortfall.

“It’s absolutely crucial that this is addressed before the scheme is rolled out nationally, and we have been encouraged to receive assurance from the Department for Education that funding will be looked at carefully when this trial is being assessed.”