Cost of School Meals being increased

[RosemaryandThyme]

Hi, just had mail form school stating that the Governers were planning to ditch the local authority provided meals (costing £2 per day) in favour of larger portions and higher quality ingredients from a private supplier and therefore daily costs of meals would "rise appropriatley".

Can they do this ?
Are Governers given the power to decide the cost of school meals in a normal state school?

We can't afford more but have family income of £20k so don't qualify for free meals.
Thanks for your thoughts.

[IndigoBell]

If there were concerns about the catering, that is certainly something that we would discuss at our governors meeting.

And if we felt the best option was to change suppliers, I'm fairly sure we'd have authority to approve that.

[Teachermumof3]

So will the meals now cost £2, or were they £2 before? Ours are only £1.70!

[catsareevil]

Meals at my DDs school cost £2 also.

Do you have the option of giving your children a packed lunch? Cheaper, but a bit more effort in the morning!

[MummyTeacher]

Our school meals are going up to £2 from Sept.
I think it's pretty disgusting actually, as the food served rarely matches the menu and the portions are ridiculous.

[MayDayChild]

Ours is £2.20. Ouch.

[Poppyella]

Ours are going up from £2.05 to £2.10 in September.

They seem a good standard so I suppose it's ok. £1.70 would be better though!!

[emptyshell]

Our LEA run ones are going up a couple of quid a week in September anyway.

[crazymum53]

Our school meals are £2.20 a day as well !

[UniS]

2.10 a day here IIRC. School have to maintain the kitchen equipment and pay for catering out of school budget. not cheap. I suspect that school are in fact subsiding the school meals and 2.10 is not a true cost. Its a small school and there are not so many economies of scale. A dishwasher to wash 100 settings costs the same as one to wash 500.

[coccyx]

think 2 pound is ok as long as good quality, big enough portions etc

[pointythings]

Our are £2.10 but are mostly pretty good (though have been patchy this last week of term, I suspect they are clearing stock cupboards). Big enough portions too, with either seconds or extra fruit/salad always available.

[Scholes34]

Never sure with the school lunches whether the DCs have eaten enough to warrant not cooking for them in the evenings. £2.10 a day is a bit steep when you consider that's over £30 per week for three children, and what I can make for that at home. We stick with packed lunches and have a good routine going in the morning to make them.

[TennisFan]

Ours are £2:20 per day and all made on site. My DS loved them.
I have no idea what the cost will be at high Sch next term.

[lemonmousse]

Crikey, we are getting off very lightly in County Durham then!

After a two year pilot of free meals for all Primary age children the price in September will be £1.50 per day - that's actually less than it was two years ago before the pilot!

[IndigoBell]

And most decisions the 'governors' make are really made by the HT and then discussed or rubber stamped at the govs meeting.

Certainly it's far more likely that the school admin staff got quotes from diff catering companies, than any governor having done so.

When the HT says the govs made the decision this may be just to deter parents from complaining to her about it.

[RosemaryandThyme]

Thanks so much - I'm off to Durham then !
We are £2 at the moment (Hampshire) so anticipate being £2.20 or so in September.
Good to know this is something that would be in the Governers' remit as there is a (play-ground gossip/rumour) that one of the Governer's would be involved in the private company they are considering out-sourcing to.
But they have sent home a questionaire for parents' views which is considerate.
Thanks again and have a fab summer everyone !!

[Lougle]

Governers have to declare pecuniary interest (a financial benefit of the subject being proposed), so if there were a Governor who had a financial stake in the supply of food, they would have had to leave the room during discussions about meal provision, and would not have had the opportunity to take the vote.