Bradford primary school bans sausage rolls from packed lunches

A primary school in Bradford has banned sausage rolls and pork pies from packed lunches in a bid to promote healthy eating.

Shirley Manor Primary Academy in Wyke introduced its ‘Whole School Food and Drink Policy’ at the start of the term to ensure children eat well.

But parents have slammed the new rules and described them as “ridiculous”, with one claiming the policy led to a sausage roll being taken from his son’s packed lunch.

Parent Steve Fryer, described his son as a fussy eater and said: “Teachers are there to teach them. You send your kids to school to learn.”

Another parent said: “I am all for healthiness, but sometimes, they can be picky eaters. I wish it was more relaxed. It is hard for us parents who have picky children.”

The policy, which the school says is led by Government guidelines, says pupils are encouraged to show their packed lunches to a member of staff before and after they have eaten.

It states: “Pork pies, sausage rolls, pepperoni sticks are high in salt and saturated fat.

“These items should not be included in a pupils packed lunchbox. If found a parent will be called.

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“Desserts, cakes, biscuits and crisps: these foods are high in saturated fat, sugar and salt – too much of these foods can be harmful to health.

“If a pupil has more than one of these items in their lunchbox they will be removed by staff and returned to the child at the end of the day.”

Squash, fizzy drinks and flavoured water, even if labelled ‘sugar free’, ‘no added sugar’ or ‘reduced sugar’ are also banned and the policy sets out they will be removed and given back at the end of the day if taken into school.

Defending the new policy, head teacher Heather Lacey said: “We want to ensure that our children eat well and grow up understanding the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

“We have written to parents to let them know how we want to work together from this term to ensure their children eat a balanced meal.

“It is important that pupils avoid eating too much food that is high in sugar, salt and saturated fats.

“This includes things like pork pies and sausage rolls, sweets and fizzy drinks in their packed lunches.

“Children are allowed a treat each day and we have invited parents into school to discuss their children’s dietary needs.”

She added the child was offered a choice of healthier alternatives and chose to have a ham sandwich with crisps, fruit and biscuits he had brought from home.