Anger at packed lunch ban in ‘healthy’ school

A SCHOOL has come under fire from parents for banning packed lunches – and serving halal meat and vegetarian options instead.

The comprehensive school has also attracted criticism for allowing only water to drink.

Pupils and staff at Aureus school, who eat together in the canteen, can choose from a hot halal meat meal, hot gluten-free vegetarian dish, jacket potato, salad, pasta pot or a baguette.

A father who spoke only on condition of anonymity said the rules were “draconian” and he was considering taking his daughter out of the school.

He added: “It's getting silly and more like a dictatorship. Their views are quite extreme.

“It's about choice. It's supposed to be an inclusive school.”

He said the school's insinuation that pupils would not otherwise get a sit-down meal at home, or would only eat unhealthy food, was “insulting”.

The father added that he had been trying to get the policies changed since last September but had been unsuccessful.

Hannah Wilson, executive head of the school in Didcot, Oxfordshire, part of the GLF Schools group, defended the system. “Food education closes the poverty gap and delicious, nutritious meals should be a universal entitlement,” she said.

“With all of the headlines about food banks and obesity we are preparing our students for healthy lifestyles in the future.”

Influence

The school's list of frequently asked questions addresses the food policy and states: “What we eat is a key influence on our performance.

“When we eat well, we sleep well, when we sleep well, we perform well. We strive at Aureus to create good habits that will become lifelong routines. Sitting down to eat together once a day is an important part of our school culture and ethos. All staff sit and eat, but also bond and talk with our students. These relationships are key in nurturing our school community.

“By ensuring that all students have access to a daily nutritious home-cooked family meal we ensure that all have this equality of opportunity.”

Regarding the water-only rule, the FAQs state: “Hydrated brains learn better.”

Reiterating the halal kitchen policy, the document states this is to “celebrate the diversity of our country's culture”.

In 2013 a Government-backed report compiled by the founders of “healthy” fast-food chain Leon encouraged more head teachers to consider banning packed lunches for pupils.

It stated: “We were approached by many free schools who wanted advice on setting up a first-class food service. Among other things, we always advised them to ban packed lunches from the start.”