Breakfast Bookstars programme launched with Magic Breakfast and the National Literacy Trust
London, 28 January 2025 – Arch Insurance International (Arch) is proud to announce the launch of a new charity partnership with Magic Breakfast and the National Literacy Trust to help tackle growing educational inequality in the UK.
Hunger and poor literacy skills are two of the most significant barriers to learning, with children from financially disadvantaged areas finishing primary school on average 19 months of learning behind their peers[1]. In England, 1 in 7 primary schools in England do not have a library and this rises to 1 in 4 in disadvantaged areas[2]. Additionally, almost 1 in 5 UK children live in food-insecure households and are at risk of starting their days too hungry to learn effectively 3.
The Breakfast Bookstars programme was developed by Arch Insurance International, Magic Breakfast and the National Literacy Trust to create greater educational equality through providing nutritious breakfasts, well-equipped libraries, and related support services to primary schools in some of the UK’s most financially disadvantaged areas.
The initiative will ensure that 7,000 school children every year start their day fully nourished, equipped with books to develop essential literacy skills, and with opportunities equal to their peers to unlock their potential. Initially, the programme will focus on supporting 25 primary schools in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Arch employees will also play an active role in the initiative through activities such as “Aspiration Days” and “Magic Maker” school visits with children’s authors, as well as helping to install new libraries and reading areas.
Breakfast Bookstars forms part of the National Literacy Trust’s Libraries for Primaries campaign and Magic Breakfast’s support for schools in England and Scotland to provide children with a healthy breakfast and to help end child morning hunger for good.
Commenting on the partnership, Hugh Sturgess, CEO, Arch Insurance International, said: “Arch is honoured to be part of such a beneficial and socially impactful initiative. It is vital that we break the cycle of educational disparity faced by primary school children in financially disadvantaged areas. Through this partnership with Magic Breakfast and the National Literacy Trust, we want to provide children, regardless of their socio-economic background, with equal opportunities to achieve their potential and realise their ambitions.”
Jonathan Douglas CBE, CEO, the National Literacy Trust, said: “We know that 1 in 7 state primary schools in the UK does not have a library or dedicated reading space. This means that 750,000 children do not have access to books and a reading environment that support higher levels of academic achievement, improved sense of well-being and a better chance of success in life.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Arch Insurance International to deliver our Libraries for Primaries programme to 25 primary schools located in some of the most disadvantaged communities across London, Manchester and Birmingham.”
Liz Little, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Magic Breakfast added: “Magic Breakfast are delighted to be working in partnership with Arch and the National Literacy Trust to deliver the Breakfast Bookstars programme. With almost 1 in 5 children and young people at risk of starting their day too hungry to learn, we know that a nutritious breakfast helps to enable pupils to unlock their potential, reach for the stars and thrive.
We are grateful for the support from Arch in developing this exciting new programme, championing the importance of a healthy start to the day for all children and young people.”
TAG WORDS
Arch Insurance International, charity, education, literacy, UK, Magic Breakfast, National Literacy Trust, Sturgess, Douglas, Little
EDITOR’S NOTES
About Arch Insurance International
Arch Insurance International is part of Arch Capital Group Ltd. and includes Arch Insurance UK and the P&C insurance operations of Arch Insurance (EU) dac, as well as Arch’s insurance operations in Europe, Bermuda and Australia.
About Arch Capital Group Ltd.
Arch Capital Group Ltd., a publicly listed Bermuda exempted company with approximately $25 billion in capital at September 30, 2024, provides insurance, reinsurance and mortgage insurance on a worldwide basis through its wholly owned subsidiaries.
About Magic Breakfast
Magic Breakfast is a registered charity that exists to make sure no child or young person is too hungry to learn. Magic Breakfast provide nutritious breakfasts and expert support to primary, secondary, ASN/SEND schools and pupil referral units in disadvantaged areas of England and Scotland. Providing a daily school breakfast ensures that every child and young person feels included, equal and set up for success. Magic Breakfast works to be part of the solution to end child morning hunger for good through our campaigning, research and advocacy work with politicians and decision-makers.
About the National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that empowers children, young people and adults with the literacy skills they need to succeed. Reading, writing, speaking and listening skills give you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. For over 30 years the National Literacy Trust has continued to support schools, families and communities on a local and national level to help people change their stories.
About Libraries for Primaries
Founded in November 2021 by The National Literacy Trust and Penguin Books, the Libraries for Primaries campaign (formerly the Primary School Library Alliance) is a group of organisations who work to address the lack of investment in primary school libraries. To date, it has transformed 1,000 school libraries and trained over 2,000 teachers and support staff. The next phase of the campaign is to ensure that every primary school in the UK has a library or dedicated library space.
Partners include Arts Council England, Bloomberg, The Foyle Foundation, Oxford University Press, The Portal Trust, The Unwin Foundation, The Julia Rausing Trust and (at the time of writing), 29 publishing partners and 23 supporting organisations.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
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Source: Arch Insurance (UK) Limited
Media Contacts
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Head of Marketing and Communications, Arch Insurance International
M +44 7900 743664
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[1] Education Policy Institute
[2] National Literacy Trust
3 Magic Breakfast