The mum said 'that's embarrassing for a school'
A Wigan mum is disgusted with her daughter's school after seeing what she was served for her lunch. Hollie Bullen, a Year 6 pupil at Westleigh St Paul's CE Primary School, in Leigh, Wigan, took the photo of the meal to prove to her mum, Nikki, that she's not being given enough food.
The photo shows her yellow tray with one small burnt slice of pizza, a tiny slice of watermelon, one slice of orange, two meagre slices of apple and a drink –Manchester Evening News reports. Sharing the image on social media, Nikki, 34, said: "If your child goes St Paul's and [is] on school dinners I'd be putting them on packed lunches.
"Hollie took this picture because I was sick of her saying they don't get enough for dinner, well I can see why!! I wouldn't feed my dogs that!!" Nikki, who works at B&Q in Leigh, goes on to say that she's reported it to Wigan Council and says that if you look up a child's intake online for a day, the meal Hollie was given 'doesn't even cover a quarter of it'.
"Yeah that's what they expect them to eat," she added. "Some of these kids with nothing go to school just for a hot meal!! That's embarrassing for a school!! AND THAT'S A PIZZA ON THAT TRAY."
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The mum-of-four Nikki said she shared the photo online to highlight how much the pupils are being given, Manchester Evening News reports. She said when she raised the issue with school, they were 'more bothered how I got the pictures' and about Hollie using her phone in school.
"Now I'd be asking your own schools to see their school dinners because my daughter has 10 pictures of 10 different meals and they are all like this," she added. "Only two things on a tray, absolutely shocking." Nikki's Facebook post has attracted almost 500 comments in 24 hours, with many parents agreeing that it's not enough food.
"If my kid's school does this too, no wonder my kids always come home hungry," said one. "Makes you think doesn't it. This is shocking." Another added: "Omg that's an absolute joke. No wonder they're starving when they come home." And a third said: "My nine month old eats more then that."
A spokesperson from Wigan Council and on behalf of Westleigh St Paul’s Primary, said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by a parent regarding food that have been subsequently shared on social media. Senior staff from the school have been in direct contact with the parent to discuss these concerns and provide reassurances about the service."
The school's food policy online states: "Within Westleigh St Paul’s we endeavour to provide a good eating environment and children are encouraged to use good manners. School meals are cooked on site and follow government guidelines. Children are able to choose each day from two hot options plus a sandwich option. This means they always get the lunch they choose and want.
"Children bringing packed lunches to school must bring them in a suitable container and these are stored in cupboards around school. Children are encouraged to only bring healthy snacks and healthy lunches to school.
"Following consultation it was decided to assist parents in providing healthy packed lunches by creating consistent guidelines within this policy that are shared by adults and children alike. These include no fizzy drinks, no energy drinks and to aim to include only one sweet treat e.g. fun size chocolate or biscuit etc."