‘School meals so poor pupils going hungry’

SECONDARY SAYS IT IS TAKING COMPLAINTS BY PARENTS VERY SERIOUSLY

PUPILS at a secondary school are going hungry because of the poor quality of the meals, parents claim.

A number of parents and guardians whose children attend Avanti Fields Secondary School, off Narborough Road in Leicester, have raised concerns about the quality of the food and portion sizes.

The school said it is taking the complaints “very seriously” and is looking to address the concerns.

A number of parents who spoke the Mercury – and wished to remain anonymous – claimed that the problem has been going on since the school opened in 2018 and that nothing has been done despite numerous complaints.

One parent said his 14-year-old son got through the school day just drinking water.

“He comes home from school and heads straight to the table. He doesn’t even take his coat off because he’s so hungry,” the father said.

Another said: “Some of the things that I’ve heard from my daughter and other parents are that the food is often cold, sometimes the cheese tastes slightly tangy and the yoghurt tastes like it’s off.

“When they have vegetarian sausages and mash, pupils are given one little sausage and cold mash.”

According to the parents, pupils are not permitted to take in packed lunches as part of the school’s ethos and only fruit is allowed from outside the premises.

As a Hindu faith school, all meals at the school are vegetarian.

The school’s website says: “An important part of our ethos is the provision of hot, fresh, nutritious meals.

“Sharing tasty, healthy school lunches is an integral part of the educational experience at an Avanti school.”

The parents claim the “poor quality” of the food does not reflect those claims.

A concerned parent, whose daughter attends the school, said: “I don’t think it is all bad but it’s not consistent and these are growing kids.

“They need a proper meal. “When my daughter comes home, she’s starving.”

A statement released by Avanti Fields said: “We are aware some families are unhappy with the quality of food currently on offer.

“We take these complaints very seriously and are seeking to address the substance of the complaints directly with the parents.”