'Prisoners get fed better' say parents after school dinner picture shared by furious mum

Parents have had their say on a school dinner that a furious mum said she wouldn't even feed her dog. Hollie Bullen, a Year 6 pupil at Westleigh St Paul's CE Primary School, in Leigh, Wigan, took a photo of her lunchtime meal to prove to her mum, Nikki, that she wasn't being given enough food.

The photo shows her yellow tray with one small burnt slice of pizza, a tiny slice of watermelon, one slice of orange, two meagre slices of apple and a drink, the Manchester Evening News reports. Sharing the image on Facebook, Nikki, 34, said: "If your child goes St Paul's and [is] on school dinners I'd be putting them on packed lunches.

"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!!" Nikki, who works at B&Q in Leigh, goes on to say that she's reported it to Wigan Council and says that if you look up a child's intake online for a day, the meal Hollie was given 'doesn't even cover a quarter of it'.

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"Yeah that's what they expect them to eat," she added. "Some of these kids with nothing go to school just for a hot meal!! That's embarrassing for a school!! AND THAT'S A PIZZA ON THAT TRAY."

The mum-of-four Nikki said she shared the photo online to highlight how much the pupils are being given. She said when she raised the issue with school, they were 'more bothered how I got the pictures' and about Hollie using her phone in school.

Following the ECHO's original story on the meal served by the school, people have weighed in with their opinions. Bev McDonnell commented: "Shocking that."

Cathy Rutherford wrote: "Maybe check the school menu for other options that was available on the day. I know most schools will offer an option, sometimes kids are fussy and would prefer pizza and fruit rather than a roast dinner and cake and custard! I know this plain simple plate is what my kid would choose…unfortunately! But usually there is plenty of options "

Catherine Helen said: “In this day and age that pizza should be on a plate with chips and beans at least! That's absolutely pathetic. I'd be fuming too! Prisoners get better fed than that!”

But some people weren't as sympathetic, with people suggesting she should send her daughter in with a packed lunch instead. Teri-Louise Rigby said: "Put her on packed lunch then. My kids school do amazing dinners!"

A spokesperson from Wigan Council and on behalf of Westleigh St Paul’s Primary, said: “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."

The school's food policy online states: "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."