A mother has raised concerns over the quality of the school dinner served to her daughter, describing it as something she ‘wouldn’t feed her dogs.’ Hollie Bullen, a 10-year-old pupil at Westleigh St Paul’s CE Primary School in Leigh, Wigan, shared a photo of her meal tray with her mum, Nikki. The image showed a small burnt slice of pizza, three pieces of fruit, and a drink on a yellow tray. Nikki, 34, posted the picture on social media, expressing her dismay at the portion size and nutritional value of the meal.
Nikki, who works at B&Q in Leigh, highlighted that the meal didn’t meet the recommended daily nutritional intake for a child. She reported the issue to Wigan Council, stressing that the school dinner fell short in quantity and quality. Parents rallied behind Nikki’s concerns, with almost 500 comments on her Facebook post within a day. Many echoed her worries about the meagre portions provided to pupils and shared similar experiences with their children’s school meals.
The school’s food policy ensures that meals adhere to government guidelines and offer a choice of hot options or sandwiches daily. Parents are encouraged to provide healthy packed lunches, following specific guidelines to promote balanced and nutritious meals. Westleigh St Paul’s Primary School responded to the incident by acknowledging the concerns raised and reassuring parents about the food service.
Despite efforts to address the issue, parents continue to express discontent over the school meals’ portion sizes. Some have compared the portions to those suitable for much younger children, highlighting the inadequate serving sizes for older pupils. The attention drawn to this matter emphasises the importance of providing sufficient and nutritious meals to school children, ensuring their well-being and adequate nourishment throughout the day.