Free school meals and summer holidays

[McNewPants2013]

I was thinking about this today.

I will have an extra £10 per week dude to not paying for school meals, but if people are entitled to FSM I can see many families struggling to provide these extra meals at home.

Do you think that school canteens should open or the parents get extra money to cover the shortfall.

School Uniforms - what an absolute headache I agree - 3 x kids school shoes that hopefully last as long as possible - £35 a pair - and that's with careful shopping. At least supermarket & high street stores range have lowered prices, and tbh , the quality lasts. It's these 'independent' rip off merchants who want to charge 15 fora polo t shirt with a school badge embroidered on that should be vetoed by the schools. If they want the kids to wear the logo'd items , there should be a cap on prices - or some kind of co-operative where schools can negotiate cheaper prices for their parents.

Like I said - if you want to help then do so but not everyone wants to/can do so.

Just thinking about FSM - which my kids had for a while. As soon as I became self employed and off IS etc, obviously I had to pay for them - I have 3 kids, so would have been £90 every 4 weeks - that's a chunk off a low income budget for sure - which turned into packed lunches, which certainly don't cost £30 a week.

I agree esape- if school uniform is mandatory then it should be at cost price to parents- purchased from the school. I only buy the logo jumper- everything else is un-logo from asda or will be ds1's stuff altered/ rolled up/ tucked in.

Ive just seen an ad for lidl selling school coats shoes and other stuff from monday in NI if anyone else lives here.

I certainly would Arisbottle. It would be a few extra pennies tax I expect.

I don't understand why anyone wouldn't think it was a good idea to ensure a child got a descent meal every day.

We live on one of the riches countries in the world. Every child and adult in the uk should have enough food.

I really, really think we need to do more to educate certain sections of society on cooking and feeding themselves and their kids.
Convenience crap isn't actually cheap - so it's not always about money.
It's about choices a lot of the time.
Choosing to spend money on certain things over others.

I apologise for not reading the whole thread, but several things have occurred to me.

Firstly not all of the worse off families are entitled to FSM. Some are, of course, and to them it may be a lifeline. But many working parents, or those who cannot tick the right box on the form to be eligible, are also in dreadful financial circumstances. I know several working parents who cannot afford the cost of a school meal for their children, and struggle to fund the cost of a packed lunch for them. I feel for both.

Secondly, this week there has been several news articles and posts about schools. About breakfast clubs, after school clubs, holiday clubs, weekend clubs, sleepovers at school and now FSM all year. It seems to me is that schools could soon be taking over the parenting roles. If all of these plans go ahead, some parents would hardly see their children at all! It makes me a little uncomfortable somehow. For generations school has always been between 9 and 3 each weekday, and the parents are responsible for their children for the rest of the time. Parental responsibility. It has always been difficult for some parents, juggling commitments and so on, but that's just the way life is when you decide to have children. It just makes me feel that the schools/governments would be taking over the parental role if all of these (often helpful) changes were to take place. Like I said, I feel a bit uncomfortable about it somehow.

I agree Sweet Melissa, and I also think we are of a time where everyone is super keen to pass on as much responsibility in all aspects of their lives as much as they can.

This country is fucked up and so are some people's priorities.

Over 60% of adults in England alone are overweight/obese and yet the number of underfed children seems to be growing rapidly.

Yes there are some people who will always put themselves before their children...whether that's overfeeding themselves, making sure they have the latest mobile phones, buying themselves cigarettes/alcohol while the kids go without.

But the bottom line is, while there are parents like that (and obviously not all parents of FSM kids are) the kids still need feeding.

I understand why some people on this thread are angry that some kids are not being put first...but they need their food.

And if the Government have to step in on the parent's behalf, then they absolutely should.

worra-And if the Government have to step in on the parent's behalf, then they absolutely should

Totally agree. I work in a reception class. Some 4 years come to school hungry as they haven't had breakfast. If the parents can't be bothered to feed their children properly then the govt has to ensure they are fed. It's as simple as that. Unless anyone has another suggestion to ensure children don't of hungry.

That's what I mean ExcuseTypos. By all means get angry at the greedy/neglectful parents.

But feed the children in the meantime

It's not their fault

True. and yes to supermarket uniforms and the 'value' section of the M&S and Debenhams Range ( pretty much the same price) absolutely fab - Our stuff tends to last all year..

I can't believe that there are some heartless people out there who don't care if a child has enough to eat.

Something has to be done and not just short term.

I am thinking the government could have a funding scheme for when food backs run low on donations the volunteers could go and shop the stock up.

Regarding school uniforms, in DS old school the parent wrote to the head about relaxing the logo jumpers and polo shirts. We had someone who is really good at letter writing and it was signed by 200ish parents.

Since that she has relaxed the rule.

If free school meals are to be continued over the holidays (and I believe they should) then how?

Lots of disagreeing but I would be interested in hearing opinions on solutions from people with experience of the issues

For example giving people more money may not work as there is still no guarantee that the child will get any, same with vouchers really.

Councils providing more food directly via food banks for FSM. Council run free restaurants? Meals on wheels?

Rufus i think a few people have already suggested that school kitchens just open as normal during the summer for children on FSM

Yes I know that, I think that may work in some areas of high take up but not in mine.

Also who would do the food, school kitchen staff that may not want to work over the hols ( hence working in a school) would the council/school be happy with volunteers or council staff running it. Would it cause issues with opening and closing the school? Would you need lunchtime supervisors? Would parents need to stay? Would the food still be provided by the existing school meals people?

That's what I mean by how, school canteens is a good idea but is it really feasible? I'm probably wrong but using a school although perfectly logical comes with its own problems.

I am over thinking this aren't I?

I would happily volunteer to supervise on my days off as long as I could take DC. I bet many other parents also would.

You're right Rufus

It would involve kitchen staff (agency staff if regular staff don't want to work).

Supervisors - because not all parents will be able to accompany their kids (having pre schoolers to look after).

Cleaners

School caretaker

In some areas I expect there will be lots of volunteers, but not in others.

School uniforms are worn during term-time, so they're effectively a term-time expense. There's no rule that says they can only be bought in August. It makes more sense to buy them only when the child grows out of the previous size.

Other school expenses such as requests for trips, swimming lessons, transport to/from school, teachers' gifts, etc. apply in term-time only.

I'm certainly not saying the summer holidays aren't expensive - they can be, in various ways. But that's not due to schools.

If some children aren't being fed properly in the holidays then that's obviously worrying. But it's a separate issue, independent of free school meals.

If some children aren't being fed properly in the holidays then that's obviously worrying. But it's a separate issue, independent of free school meals.

They tie together for some parents though.

Not all parents pay for requests for trips, swimming lessons, transport to/from school, teachers' gifts, etc.

So having to find money for extra meals can be really tough.

The school could also be proactive about operating a uniform exchange scheme. Over the years I have sent many outgrown uniforms (that are in good condition) to the charity shop, but it would be ideal if the school could operate a second hand uniform shop, every item could be 50p.

I wouldn't really say you were overthinking it Rufus - I think there would be quite a lot to consider with opening school canteens in the holidays - but nothing insurmountable with the right will and resourcing.

Would be great in general wouldn't it if there were more places you could get a healthy meal at lunch time - refectory style ? Such a shame when McD's et al seem the only option.
Our park cafe does soup and a roll mind you, also toasted sandwiches.
We might go there sometimes, but expensive for many.