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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Free school meals

171 replies

heatseeker14 · 09/06/2017 23:00

Why do KS1 kids get free school meals? I think it is such a waste of public money. I can't understand why it is still being pushed? I understand that some parents struggle, I get that, but why open it up to everyone else?! Our school doesn't have a functioning kitchen, the best they can churn out is tinned hot dogs, so they buy in meals from a catering company. This must cost a fortune & it makes me mad. Why should tax payers fund school meals, it is up to parents to provide for their kids. Set a good example and cook decent food it is not that difficult!!

OP posts:
exLtEveDallas · 09/06/2017 23:44

The working poor!!!! How much does an apple/pear from Aldi cost + cereal bar/Kitkat + sandwich + store own brand yogurt + water/squash = next to fuck all. Stop making excuses

For the working poor that could be their evening meal. Should we deny a child what could be their only hot meal of the day?

Cinderllaspinkdresswasthebest · 09/06/2017 23:46

I was originally against for all - when disabled people are having to jump through hoops to get benefits I think that it's a policy that could cost millions for a vast majority that don't 'need' it.

Now I absolutely think that whether working or not - annual income should be the factor.

(As an aside what always amuses/saddens me on threads about school meals and children going without - let's not demonise the poor - I know plenty of 'middle class' parents who feed their kids crap and - for them it's a personal choice - for those genuinely needing FSM it's a necessity

exLtEveDallas · 09/06/2017 23:47

Any bakers know why cheesecakes collapse?

Not sure about the collapse but I've always left mine in the oven after turning it off so it cools very gently and doesn't crack across the filling - my mum taught me that :)

Original poster
heatseeker14 · 09/06/2017 23:48

No really I'm not, but thanks for your concern. If parents as you put it 'don't supply meals', god alone knows what else happens at home, so yes social services should be involved.

OP posts:
DJBaggySmalls · 09/06/2017 23:49

rolopolovolo Cracking happens if you beat the batter too much, or bake it for too long or at too high a temp. It could also happens if it has stuck to the tin, so make sure you grease it or it will crack as its cools and shrinks. Hope that helps.

PortiaCastis · 09/06/2017 23:50

I'm a cheat I googled

bakingbites.com/2017/01/why-do-cheesecakes-crack-and-how-to-avoid-it/

exLtEveDallas · 09/06/2017 23:51

Not concerned about you at all. Simply making an observation about you and the way you come across. It's your choice if you want to act that way.

CS (Child Services) do not have a magic wand. They cannot solve all problems, and since the cuts cannot even come out half the time.

Plenty of kids are suffering, if providing them with a hot cooked midday meal can ease some of that suffering then who exactly is it hurting more than they already are?

Original poster
heatseeker14 · 09/06/2017 23:53

No need for cheese cake when you have profiteroles.

OP posts:
DJBaggySmalls · 09/06/2017 23:53

It would cost more to get CS involved than to hand out free school meals. And what could CS do, other than hand out free school meals to the needy?

rolopolovolo · 09/06/2017 23:57

exLtEveDallas Fri 09-Jun-17 23:47:34

Not sure about the collapse but I've always left mine in the oven after turning it off so it cools very gently and doesn't crack across the filling - my mum taught me that smile

Thanks. I took mine out straight away so that's a fail.

Original poster
heatseeker14 · 09/06/2017 23:58

Of course I understand they do not have a magic wand cases, if they did cases like Victoria climbie wouldn't have happened. But if we can save we should & use the money for social services or NHS. Please do not confuse aggression with passion. If we could use money like this elsewhere it could really make a difference.

OP posts:
Scottishchick39 · 09/06/2017 23:59

I'm with you OP, I don't agree with it at all. I can afford to pay for school dinners so I should pay for them. I also don't agree with the free prescriptions either, I think I should pay for them too.

Original poster
heatseeker14 · 10/06/2017 00:00

*scrap cases :)

OP posts:
Original poster
heatseeker14 · 10/06/2017 00:01

It's been a long day :)

OP posts:
rolopolovolo · 10/06/2017 00:01

oooh thanks, DJBaggySmalls I think I did pretty much everything wrong! Literally everything. Too much beating, too high, didn't grease. It rose really high then collapsed like a souffle.

PortiaCastis - am reading this now. Can't believe how complicated this is...

May have to stick to chilled ones.

Oldraver · 10/06/2017 00:03

I think it's an immoral waste of money. There are children in DS's school that come from families were you roughly know how much at least one parent earns. They do not need FSM...

I do think the criteria for qualifying re income should be extended.

WellThisIsShit · 10/06/2017 00:09

No idea how I will afford to pay for DS's meals come September. His school don't give any option for pack lunches. Everyone must, and does, (do?) eat a shared cooked school meal together, with older years serving younger years - it's all about eating together as a school family... sounds lovely.

But in reality, how exactly will I pay the £17pw which is mandatory unless a child qualifies for free school meals. Which I think he won't do.

But hey, feel free to be aggressive at me for my terrible failings.

ICantFindAFreeNickName2 · 10/06/2017 00:14

I think it's completely wrong. They should just increase the qualifying income to something like £20,000, to help those that earn too much to qualify for the traditional 'free school meals'.
Schools do lose out on pupil premium for KS1 children, as at our school we have a tough time getting parents to apply for the traditional' free school meals', as they already get the free dinners through the universal free school meals.

Original poster
heatseeker14 · 10/06/2017 00:16

That is exactly what we need oldraver. djbaggysmalls* 'it would cost more to get CS involved than to hand out school meals'. I hope SS do more than hand out free school meals. I'd like to think they would be doing lots of home visits.

OP posts:
Original poster
heatseeker14 · 10/06/2017 00:21

wellthisisshit that sounds shit. Why can't they have a packed lunch?!

OP posts:
SuburbanRhonda · 10/06/2017 00:27

You really don't understand a thing about how children's services works, do you OP?

MissEliza · 10/06/2017 01:38

Unless you qualify for FSM, only children in ks1 qualify? Why? All children are growing and need nutritious meals, If anything it's harder to afford healthy school meals in secondary school. It's an ill thought out policy

38cody · 10/06/2017 02:09

I totally agree OP - I live in a pretty well-heeled part of London and FSM are just not needed in our KS1 - full of children of bankers, solicitors and media types - FSM's partly paid for by taxes of those on much lower incomes.
It's ridiculous - there should at least be an 'opt out' of paying application process and those who can easily afford to pay wouldn't bother.
Those who are really very poor don't pay anyway. A child's packed lunch can be made very cheaply and yes, they do all eat together anyway.

38cody · 10/06/2017 02:12

The OP is a goady moron who clearly is here to pick a fight. Why not NOT give her one?

Whereas you are just a little ray of sunshine I suppose?

OP - You are quite right.

Fab39ish · 10/06/2017 06:28

If you are that passionate about wasting taxpayers money than maybe you could look at the subsided canteen St the House of Commons. Or their salary they can afford to pay full price. Working poor Parents not so much. So much for the Conservatives being for hard working families.