Academy says pupils ‘choose to eat outside’
ANGRY PARENTS HAD CLAIMED CHILDREN WERE MADE TO HAVE LUNCH IN THE ‘FREEZING COLD’
STAFF at Bulwell Academy have hit back after parents raised concerns over pupils eating lunch outside in the “freezing cold”.
In measures introduced by the school under its Covid prevention strategy, the academy is making use of outdoor space so pupils don’t have to be confined to a single room.
But some parents spoke out about schoolchildren having to eat lunch outside in cold weather, saying: “They should at least have a classroom to sit in and eat.”
However, in a statement the Academy said most pupils in Years 7 and 8 preferred to be outside, and that staff have opened the school hall to Year 8s for those who said they’d like to be inside.
A Bulwell Academy spokesperson said: “Measures to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading include using outdoor space during breaks and lunchtime, rather than having hundreds of students in a confined area.
“The vast majority of Years 7 and 8 choose to be outside, with staff on duty checking their welfare. But we have opened the hall to Year 8s for those preferring to be inside.
“Parents are encouraged to contact the academy if there are any issues.”
One parent, who asked not to be named, spoke of her frustration.
She said: “It’s freezing cold and they’re stood outside eating their lunch.
“It’s absolutely disgusting. There’s not enough seats for them either.
“I’ve tried speaking to the school... They should at least have a classroom to sit in and eat. I was so frustrated.”
Another parent, who also didn’t want to be named, said the school needed to do more.
She said: “I’m not happy at all. My daughter came in wet through yesterday. They need to do something as they are all standing up outside.
“There are benches but they’re wet through – I feel sorry for the kids.
“If they’re outside all lunch they’re not having any warmth.
“The school need to do something like different time slots for each year to eat and make sure they’ve got a place to eat. It’s really bad.”
The comments come after the academy came under fire for a policy which asked for a doctor’s note so pupils could go go to the toilet in lesson times – leading to one parent describing it as an “army camp”.