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Primary education

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Original poster

School dinners grrrrrrrrr

14 replies

englishrose243 · 11/12/2007 09:32

Every year my kids have been at school the cost of school dinners just seems to go up and up every year. I have 3 girls, one in yr 4, 1 in yr 1 and one in nursery class. The two older ones have special needs, plus hubby and I are disabled, I don't work but hubby does even though it's not a very well paid job (he can't do much else). We get DLA but are not entitled to income support or anything so our kids don't get free school meals, and if I paid for them to have school dinners it would cost me £72 a month for two of them, and £108 a month from next September when dd3 starts reception (probably more than this actually as the cost will rise again next year). No way in hell can we afford that sort of money so the girls have to take sandwiches instead.

What really gets my back up is that at Christmas the school lays on a special Christmas dinner for the kids but ONLY for those who already have school meals. Those who don't (or can't afford it like us) our kids have to go without. My girls have got so upset this year that their best friends have had a special Christmas dinner while they have had to go without. I think the whole system is so bloody unfair, it's like discrimination against those of us who can't afford to pay for the privilege of school meals. Grrrrrrrrrrr....sorry rant over now!

Anyone else feel this way?

OP posts:

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fedupwasherwoman · 11/12/2007 09:55

At our primary school you can still have the Christmas lunch even if you usually take sandwiches. In fact ds1 could have sandwiches on some days and hot lunches on others so long as I book the lunches a week in advance using the menu, the system is that flexible.

for your dc's that this is not the case for them.

Could you do a "party packed lunch" for them next time with cheap cracker and more party-ish food ?

Alambil · 11/12/2007 11:07

That's awful.

We got a letter saying you can pay £1 65 if you want your DC to have Christmas Dinner - didn't have to, but was totally parental choice.

Can you suggest to the head that they do this - the county council usually supply school food and won't bat an eyelid if they get the extra money in plenty of time to order the food (I'm talking a week or two ahead of the dinner date)

PartridgeinaRustyBearTree · 11/12/2007 11:29

I work at a junior school & this year we have a new head & she decided that the school would pay for all children to have the christmas dinner out of PTA funds, because she didn't want anyone left out - (£2.25 each) We thought it was a nice idea, but we've already had complaints from some parents saying it's a waste of money.

You really can't please everyone.

seeker · 11/12/2007 11:43

At our school you can book in for a Christmas dinner whether or not you normally have dinners. And everyone gets a cracker. In fact, I've just been out to buy them - 421 Christmas Crackers fill a lot more boxes than I thought they would! Crackers incidentally, provided by the PTA, paid for with some of the takings from the Christmas Fair - but that's a whole other thread...........

MerryAnnSinglemas · 11/12/2007 11:46

Partridge - what a nice idea from your PTA - and that some parents are against it...you just can't win

SelfishMrsClaus · 11/12/2007 11:49

At our school anyone can have Christmas dinner Although there were 1 or 2 children who didn't take it, they were still in the hall & sitting at the dinner tables with the rest of the children

Actually, we send the money in on the day the kids want dinner.. so if dd decided tomorrow morning she wanted dinner (or if we slept in & I hadn't made the lunches!!)I could give her the money & she would get dinner, we don't need to pre-book.

christywhisty · 11/12/2007 16:29

At our school they are can have school dinners 1 2 or 5 days a week. You can only have christmas dinner if you sign up for a minimum of 1 day a week for that half term.

Jambuttie · 12/12/2007 18:20

At our school the kids can pay daily for lunch if required and xmas lunch is a pre order but EVERY kid gets the chance to have it as long as its booked in advance

moondog · 12/12/2007 18:21

That's ridiculously unfair English.
Definiitely take it further!

jINGLESbells · 13/12/2007 20:26

Even at our tiny village school where you can only organise school lunches per term... every child was offered the chance to have christmas lunch, with 2 weeks notice at 1.85p (sorry have just noticed my macbook only has a $sign!!!)

MummyPenguin · 14/12/2007 13:37

I wish my DS's primary had school dinners. Sandwiches/rolls etc must get so boring for them, I try to vary it, but it's difficult thinking of new and different things that they'll actually eat. DD has school dinners (secondary school) and I bet DS's wish they did too!

That does sound unfair, Englishrose, kick up a fuss!

Blu · 14/12/2007 13:42

Our school also offers the chance to have a Christmas Lunch to packed lunch children. But the crackers and other paraphanalia are provided by the PTA so are distributed equally amongst all the children.

hanaflower · 14/12/2007 13:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mumzy · 14/12/2007 14:51

At my Ds's school the headmaster sent home a letter encouraging all parents to let their children participate in the christmas lunch even if they usually have packed lunches I think everyone took part this year and its a tradition that all the school love and aids its cohesiveness . I think your head needs to introduce something similar. Point out it is the season of goodwill, friendship and sharing!.

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