Girl's school dinner leaves mum raging 'I'd feed my dogs more'

Mum Nikki Bullen
-Credit: (Image: MEN)


A mum was left appalled after her daughter showed her the lunch she'd been served at school. Year 6 student Hollie Bullen captured a snapshot of her meagre meal to show her mother, Nikki, that her complaints of inadequate portions were justified.

The image, which has now been shared across social media platforms, presented a paltry tray containing a small burnt slice of pizza, a sliver of watermelon, an orange segment, two skinny slices of apple, and a beverage. Outraged by the offering, 34 year old Nikki said: "If your child goes St Paul's and [is] on school dinners I'd be putting them on packed lunches."

In disbelief, Nikki, who is employed at B&Q, added: "Hollie took this picture because I was sick of her saying they don't get enough for dinner, well I can see why! ! I wouldn't feed my dogs that!! "

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She explained that after taking the issue up with council and investigating daily nutritional requirements for a child, the supplied meal fell significantly short, covering less than 'a quarter of it'.

"Yeah that's what they expect them to eat," she lamented. Citing concern for the less fortunate students who rely on a school-provided hot meal, Nikki branded the situation as shameful for the educational establishment and exclaimed in disbelief towards the supposed pizza on the plate.

Nikki, a mother to four, disclosed that she decided to publicise the photo to cast light on the portion sizes being given at her daughter's school. However, upon addressing the mealtime mishap with the school authorities, she discovered their concerns were more concentrated on how the images were obtained and Hollie's use of a mobile phone during school hours, reports the MEN.

She added: "Now I'd be asking your own schools to see their school dinners because my daughter has 10 pictures of 10 different meals and they are all like this. Only two things on a tray, absolutely shocking."

Her Facebook plea sparked a massive reaction with almost 500 comments in just one day. Fellow parents echoed her sentiments that children aren't getting enough to eat.

One parent voiced their concern, "If my kid's school does this too, no wonder my kids always come home hungry," while another chimed in, "Makes you think doesn't it. This is shocking."

Another added: "Omg that's an absolute joke. No wonder they're starving when they come home." And a further comment read: "My nine month old eats more then that."

Addressing the uproar, a spokesperson for Wigan Council and Westleigh St Paul's Primary responded: "We are aware of the concerns raised by a parent regarding food that have been subsequently shared on social media. Senior staff from the school have been in direct contact with the parent to discuss these concerns and provide reassurances about the service.

"Within Westleigh St Paul's we endeavour to provide a good eating environment and children are encouraged to use good manners. School meals are cooked on site and follow government guidelines. Children are able to choose each day from two hot options plus a sandwich option. This means they always get the lunch they choose and want.

"Children bringing packed lunches to school must bring them in a suitable container and these are stored in cupboards around school. Children are encouraged to only bring healthy snacks and healthy lunches to school.

"Following consultation it was decided to assist parents in providing healthy packed lunches by creating consistent guidelines within this policy that are shared by adults and children alike. These include no fizzy drinks, no energy drinks and to aim to include only one sweet treat e.g. fun size chocolate or biscuit etc."

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