IT helps students to start the day in the best way - helping them to perform academically and to engage socially.

The Bay CofE School in Sandown started a free Breakfast Club this term, which is open to all students at the secondary site from 7:30 to 8:20am every weekday. It is designed to support student wellbeing, improve concentration and enhance academic achievement.

Around 150 children have been attending each day, with 200 students on a Friday. From Mondays to Thursdays there is toast, fruit, cereals and porridge with lots of toppings to pick from. On Fridays there are also bacon and sausage rolls on offer. Squash and juice is also available each day.

It was set up as part of the Flourish project based within The Bay CofE School’s primary and secondary sites. Flourish is a national Church of England project which is being piloted in 40 schools across the UK, including two on the Isle of Wight. It aims to link local churches and schools together more effectively.

The Breakfast Club is run by Flourish workers Neil Denley and Chloe Wells, who are based at Christ Church Sandown and The Bay CE School, along with a team of volunteers each morning.

Neil said: “It’s such a blessing to see so many students coming to the Breakfast Club each morning. We believe no child should start their day hungry, and it’s a joy to offer them a warm, welcoming space where they can eat, feel valued, and be set up for a day of learning. We give all the glory to God for making this possible – this is exactly what the Church is here to do: to serve, to love, and to bring hope to the heart of the community.”