Parents' anger over 'atrocious' school lunches including pasta in a cup

Parents have vented fury at “atrocious” school meals handed out to their children.

The offending meals at Bulwell Academy in Nottinghamshire included pasta with a “blob” of sauce in a polystyrene cup and “basic baguettes” with a block of cheese in.

Craig Laird, speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, said convicts can expect better food in jail.

Another parent told the paper the “flimsy” offerings are leaving her child hungry during the school day.

To make it worse, parents are also able to see exactly what their children are eating through ParentPay, a system which allows them to pay for food at schools.

The academy, responding to the complaints, said it “welcomes suggestions for future menus”.

Mr Laird said of the choices on the menu: “The nutritional requirements are just not being met.

"It's literally like a polystyrene tea cup with pasta and blob of sauce on top. These are supposed to be nutritional meals, but it's really, really, really atrocious. I wouldn't even give that to my dog.

"My daughter has a disability which involves having an enlarged tongue which is really sensitive. Half of these meals are all spicy and she can't have those, so she has to go for the second option which is a slice of pizza that basically looks like it has been bought from Aldi out of the cheap everyday range at 59p - and you just get a piece."

He added that amid the cost of living crisis, schools need to maintain standards: “[Some] parents rely on schools for that meal to feed their kids, as they can't afford to feed them properly at home.”

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Another parent, who asked the paper to remain anonymous, pointed to the “disgusting, flimsy pieces of pizza” as she said: "My daughter's always hungry. I never realised the meals were this bad, it's like feeding animals scrap. Some kids only get that meal at school - it's not good enough.”

She added her child has been taking extra snacks to sustain her through the day and asked: “How are kids meant to focus on work when they're not eating properly?”

Bulwell Academy said: “At Bulwell Academy we are always grateful for feedback from parents and students. Our catering staff work hard to ensure that all our menus are nutritionally balanced however we welcome suggestions for future menus.

“We ask about dietary requirements before pupils start at Bulwell Academy and tailored menus are created based on their needs. Our newly appointed student form representatives will also be involved in menu choices going forwards to ensure that student voices are heard.”