Dr Elizabeth Sidwell, Schools Commissioner for England, was welcomed by staff and pupils of Wickham Market primary at their newly launched Early Birds Breakfast Club on 7^th March 2013.

Dr Sidwell joined the Wickham Market children for a healthy, locally sourced breakfast. The Early Birds Breakfast Clubs are being piloted by Healthy Ambitions, the regional charity which promotes heart health and wellbeing, and the clubs are delivered by Cook With Me Kids, a local community interest company.

Schools Commissioner, Dr Elizabeth Sidwell said: “I am currently travelling round the country, visiting schools and councils to ensure every child has the best possible experience of education. I’m looking for bright ideas, like this wonderful Early Birds Breakfast Club.

“As a headteacher, I saw that breakfast clubs can help to improve children’s attendance, concentration and motivation, however this club goes far beyond that. Here, children learn where their food comes from and how to prepare it. Also, because parents are involved, it helps take the messages back home too. It really is an integral part of the school day.”

Chief Executive of Healthy Ambitions, Richard Powell, says, “We were delighted to welcome Dr Elizabeth Sidwell to our breakfast club to enable her to see at first hand the success of the programme and we are thrilled to gain her support.

“Healthy Ambitions aims to make a real difference to the health of the region, and working with children in a sustainable way is a fantastic step along that path. The clubs are also very cost effective, because schools are linked with carefully selected local producers. This also brings great environmental credentials and a sense of the clubs being part of the community.”

Emma Haines, Director of Cook With Me Kids, says, “We are keen to make a difference to children in Suffolk and beyond, particularly the one in six living in poverty. After this fantastic start, the sky is the limit with Early Birds.”