AIBU?
Pupils serving lunch every day...
AllthingsSummer · 28/04/2021 16:00
Does this sound right to you?
My child’s school does not employ kitchen staff (apart from the cook). Pupils are on a rota to take a week serving lunches.
Punishments in the school also take the form of cleaning out bins, including the kitchen bins.
I do not know of hairnets/gloves being worn, and am wondering if this is actually breaching Health and Safety guidelines for schools?
Thanks.
2bazookas · 28/04/2021 16:37
Depends how it'sorganised.
When I was in secondary school (11 to 18) we ate school lunches at square tables that sat 8; and you ate at the same table with the same 7 all term.
Each table was responsible for collecting its own cutlery, cups, water, setting the table; collecting the warm plates and food (provided in serving dishes for 8, at a servery ). Each girl served herself from the communal dishes on the table, after eating we cleared our empties back to the servery and wiped down the table. Each table organised its own rota for each job. It was sociable, civilised, responsible.
Jekere6 · 28/04/2021 18:27
Sounds like they're maybe taking inspiration from Japanese schools, kids often serve the lunch and clean the school. Ask the school about the food safety aspect, it sounds like a good thing for building responsibility but only if done in a organised way, making sure they wash their hands etc.
Porchie · 28/04/2021 18:28
We used to have to serve food down the tables to each pupil as a position of responsibility and clear the tables after lunch to take to the kitchen, wipe them down and tidy the chairs. A second shift of pupils would do “laying up” for the next meal.
but that was over twenty five years ago. Also an independent school. Didn’t do any harm. I knew how to lay a table correctly at 8!
NellePorter · 28/04/2021 18:35
We did this at my state primary in the 80s, due to the teachers' industrial action. It made lunchtimes enjoyable, although I think that H&S regulations have moved on since then. Don't know how I would feel about my own (very quiet) DC being served by her peers.
AllthingsSummer · 28/04/2021 18:48
Thanks for your insights.
Me too! I remember cringing at the bits of food in the cleaning cloth when wiping the table (usually bits of meat-I’m veggie)!
It’s just not something I’ve come across in a very long time; in state or independent and the punishment element doesn’t seem right. Hasn’t happened to DC yet but the fear of the bins is real!
Hagqueen · 28/04/2021 18:56
I’d not like bin clearing etc to be a punishment. It makes me think that it encourages an attitude of seeing it as a job ‘bad’ people do outside of the setting. If serving food etc is part of the role then hygiene aspects should also be as its part of the job, but not some punishment.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.