A state-funded school cannot have a "no packed lunches" policy. Education Act 1996 section 512(5) requires maintained schools to provide facilities for the consumption of packed lunches. Whilst this only applies directly to maintained schools, academies are required to follow the relevant law by their funding agreements. Banning packed lunches is clearly contrary to this.
The head should read the "School food in England" advice for governing bodies published by the DfE last year. About halfway down p5 it says, "Facilities to eat the food that they bring to school must be provided free of charge for pupils not taking school meals. As a minimum these facilities should include accommodation, furniture and supervision so that pupils can eat food they have brought from home in a safe and social environment."
Some good advice there op
The children at our school have 3 options to choose from
Ham, chicken or tuna in a roll
Cheese or egg in a roll
Hot option is, either pizza, or burger or fish fingers which come in a roll.
This comes in a paper bag, in that bag there is also a pack of 3-4 pieces each of cucumber and carrot sticks, a yoghurt or a small pot of iced smoothie, a piece of fruit, and either a 'biscuit' or piece or plain sponge cake.
We don't have a hot meal with vegetables option at the moment.
The children can though, bring in a packed lunch from home.