A mother-of-three has been banned from her children’s primary school after leading a revolt against a ban on fruit squash in packed lunches.
Parents at Abbey Hulton Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent are furious about its new healthy eating policy.
The school’s packed lunch policy recommends parents include one portion of fruit, vegetables, a sandwich, rice or pasta, and milk, cheese or yoghurt, and a bottle of water each day.
But it says lunchboxes should not include chocolate bars, sweets, sausage rolls, cereal bars, squash, flavoured water or fizzy drinks.
Mothers and fathers say the healthy eating rule ‘discriminates’ against pupils who take packed lunches – because battered fish and chips, cheese oatcakes and double chocolate chip muffins all feature on the school dinners menu.
Parents at Abbey Hulton Primary School in Stoke-on-Trent are furious about its new healthy eating policy. But after Bernadette Finnegan (pictured front) decided to spearhead a campaign against the rules, she has been ‘banned’ from the premises
But after Bernadette Finnegan decided to spearhead a campaign against the policy, she has been ‘banned’ from the premises, reports the Stoke Sentinel.
The 48-year-old, of Bucknall, told the newspaper: ‘I am not really afraid of the ban because if anything it is making me more determined to fight for the rights of the children.
‘The school has singled me out but that is fine because I do not want other people getting in trouble for my battle.
‘Things have been different picking up and dropping off my two children but most parents are backing me. This story has been the talk of the town.’
According to the newspaper, Ms Finnegan was due to have a meeting with the headteacher, but was sent a text saying: ‘Following legal advice we are issuing you with an interim ban from the premises immediately, a letter outlining the details will follow.’
But she is still angry she can no longer give her children diluted Vimto at lunch time and has branded the decision ‘disgusting and petty’.
She said: ‘We were told that from now on it’s no juice, just milk or water – but the school menu still has things like fish and chips.
‘This is discrimination against children who take packed lunches.
‘We’ve been told children should not be taking chocolate – and I agree with that – but now even flavoured water is banned.
‘As parents, we should not have the school dictating what we can and can’t take to school.’
Mothers and fathers say the healthy eating rule ‘discriminates’ against pupils who take packed lunches – because battered fish and chips, cheese oatcakes and double chocolate chip muffins all feature on the school dinners menu
The letter sent home to parents from headteacher Linda Williams read: ‘City Catering provides us with delicious, healthy hot meals or sandwiches for all our children.
‘The meals consist of a main meal, a side dish, a dessert and a drink – all of which are in line with our healthy-eating policy.
‘We appreciate some children prefer to bring their own packed lunch.. We would like to remind you that it too should be a healthy selection.
‘To keep in line with policies and healthy-eating schemes, we offer children water or milk to drink.
‘We would therefore please ask you to only send in water (not flavoured water) for the children to drink.’
Mother-of-four Kyla Lear, aged 33, of Bentilee, added: ‘This policy is disgusting.
‘I do not like it and the school should not dictate what we feed our children.
‘We’ve been told children are not allowed flavoured water in packed lunches and that is discrimination.’
Ms Finnegan (pictured) was due to have a meeting with the headteacher, but was sent a text saying: ‘Following legal advice we are issuing you with an interim ban from the premises immediately, a letter outlining the details will follow.’
The rules around what can and cannot be included in packed lunches differ from school to school.
Deputy headteacher Lesley Brookes said: ‘A healthy start in life for all our pupils is very important to us and this has been part of the school’s ethos for many years.
‘Based on guidelines from Public Health England’s Change4Life Campaign, and in accordance with our aims within the Food for Life Programme, this includes promoting water and milk as a healthy alternative to juice.
‘On one occasion, children volunteered to dispose of their juice and have water instead, for which they were praised for their healthy choice of drink.’
A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesman told the Sentinel: ‘We would always hope that schools and parents can resolve disputes amicably.
‘As an employer we do not tolerate the abuse or intimidation of our staff.’
MailOnline has approached the local authority for further comment.