'That's a pizza on that tray,' says mum horrified at 'paltry' school dinner

The school dinner served up to 10-year-old Hollie Bullen
-Credit: (Image: Manchester Family / MEN)


A mother has expressed disgust at the "paltry" school meal served to her daughter at Westleigh St Paul's CE Primary School in Leigh, Wigan. Hollie Bullen, who is in Year 6, captured a photo of her lunch tray showcasing a meagre offering a small, apparently over-cooked slice of pizza, a few pieces of fruit, and a drink.

Outraged Nikki Bullen shared the photo on social media, along with a scathing comment: "If your child goes St Paul's and [is] on school dinners I'd be putting them on packed lunches."

She fumed: "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", the Manchester Evening News reported.

READ MORE: Holidaymaker's Range Rover 'written off' after he used meet and greet at Manchester Airport

READ MORE: Man fell 100ft down Gwynedd mine shaft and rescuers were amazed by what they found

Mum Nikki Bullen
Mum Nikki Bullen -Credit:Manchester Family / MEN

"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." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox.

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

"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," she claimed. "Only two things on a tray, absolutely shocking."

Nikki's Facebook post attracted almost 500 comments in 24 hours, with many parents agreeing that it's not enough food. "If my kid's school does this too, no wonder my kids always come home hungry," said one. "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 third said: "My nine month old eats more then that."

When questioned by parents Nikki did say that Hollie had also been offered peas and sweetcorn, but doesn't like them. 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."

Hollie took a photo to show her mum what she'd been given to eat
Hollie took a photo to show her mum what she'd been given to eat -Credit:Manchester Family / MEN
Hollie was given the meal at Westleigh St Paul's CE Primary in Leigh
Westleigh St Paul's CE Primary in Leigh -Credit:Google Maps

"Senior staff from the school have been in direct contact with the parent to discuss these concerns and provide reassurances about the service."

"The food provision at Westleigh St Paul's is provided by an external supplier and this issue has already been raised by school with them."

"We are aware that food provision at schools is an important matter for parents and the entire school community. Any feedback received by schools will be addressed in an appropriate manner."

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."