Free school meals from Sept 2014

Bublin1

Is there already a thread about this? If so, please delete. I can't search threads on my tablet.

I found out today that from Sept 2014 ALL children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will have free school dinners.

This is great.

mrcow

lol You only found out today?

How is this money saving? It's going to cost tax payers a fortune!

meritaten

mrcow wrote: »

lol You only found out today?

How is this money saving? It's going to cost tax payers a fortune!

I certainly don't begrudge my OHs tax pounds to giving a child a meal! He doesn't either. hopefully the school meals will be of the 'healthy' variety and the children will benefit from a good meal midday. it will also take away the 'stigma' of the 'free school meals' from the poorest kids. I know schools do their best, but the other kids always 'know' who is getting free dinners. if everyone gets them then that's all to the good.

Bublin1

Lol I'm late!!!!

Well, I'm a tax payer so I'll be getting something back I guess.

onlyroz

I'm not complaining, having a daughter in reception, but I do wonder if Primary schools have got the infrastructure in place to cope with the extra demand. Our school uses the main hall for school dinners, with the kitchen in a little alcove off to the side. If the number of kids having dinners doubles then I'm not sure if they've got the facilities to deal with it...

mrcow

meritaten wrote: »

I certainly don't begrudge my OHs tax pounds to giving a child a meal! He doesn't either. hopefully the school meals will be of the 'healthy' variety and the children will benefit from a good meal midday. it will also take away the 'stigma' of the 'free school meals' from the poorest kids. I know schools do their best, but the other kids always 'know' who is getting free dinners. if everyone gets them then that's all to the good.

Even a child whose parents earn 5 times more that you do?

And who said anything about it being healthy? Have you seen a typical school dinner recently?

Bublin1

meritaten wrote: »

I certainly don't begrudge my OHs tax pounds to giving a child a meal! He doesn't either. hopefully the school meals will be of the 'healthy' variety and the children will benefit from a good meal midday. it will also take away the 'stigma' of the 'free school meals' from the poorest kids. I know schools do their best, but the other kids always 'know' who is getting free dinners. if everyone gets them then that's all to the good.

I agree. I recently went on a school trip with dd's class. I had to give half of my own packed lunch to 5 year old girl because her parent(s) didn't pack anything at all and didn't request for the school to provide a packed lunch. I hope the teachers spoke to the parent.

Obviously this 'benefit' will be helping those who are not entitled to free school meals but as we all know many people are earning but still struggling to pay £1.80 (what I pay per day) for a hot meal and if those same parents choose to give their kids a packed lunch you can guarantee it is not nutritionally balanced in alot of cases.
dd's school sent out a very stern letter about the contents of some lunch boxes.
I've actually heard parents complaining that they can't put sweets in lunch boxes.

Bublin1

onlyroz wrote: »

I'm not complaining, having a daughter in reception, but I do wonder if Primary schools have got the infrastructure in place to cope with the extra demand. Our school uses the main hall for school dinners, with the kitchen in a little alcove off to the side. If the number of kids having dinners doubles then I'm not sure if they've got the facilities to deal with it...

My dd's school is building a new kitchen over the easter. It was in the newsletter today (how I found out about it all). I guess not all schools will be able to afford this so you have a point.
I have a menu plan and the food is good but again I'm guessing this varies across the country....but it's better than a pack of crisps and a drink which is what some parents provide.

meritaten

mrcow wrote: »

Even a child whose parents earn 5 times more that you do?

And who said anything about it being healthy? Have you seen a typical school dinner recently?

Have you? because if 'Turkey Twizzlers' are still on the menu then gawd elp you, as Jamie Oliver would say!

stef1979

I don't disagree with this I do think it's great they are guaranteed a meal, what I don't understand is why is it only 4-7 year olds?. We pay £2.40 per meal for our youngest (on top of £7 a day for a 13 and 15 year old to eat at secondary extortionate!) fortunately only once a week as my son loves the fish in school, but many of the meals are tasteless and small, we regularly have taster days and I'm appalled. I don't agree with paying £2.40 for picnic day which consists of a sandwich, yoghurt fruit and drink or for a baked potato with butter.

paulineb_2

mrcow wrote: »

Even a child whose parents earn 5 times more that you do?

And who said anything about it being healthy? Have you seen a typical school dinner recently?

Ive seen the school menu in the school my mum teaches in, its very healthy, loads of healthy options.