A mother expressed her dismay at the school meal provided to her child at Westleigh St Paul’s CE Primary School in Leigh, Wigan. The mother, Nikki, shared images of her daughter Hollie’s school dinner on social media, showing a small burnt slice of pizza, three pieces of fruit, and a drink on a yellow tray. Nikki described the meal as inadequate, stating she “wouldn’t feed [her] dogs that!!” She highlighted that the portion did not meet the daily nutritional requirements for a child.
Nikki, who works at B&Q in Leigh, reported the issue to Wigan Council, emphasising that many children rely on school meals for their daily nutrition. Despite her complaint, she felt the school was more concerned about how she obtained the photos rather than the quality of the meals. Nikki shared her frustration online to shed light on the meagre portions served to students, with many other parents echoing her concerns.
Following Nikki’s post, nearly 500 comments flooded in, with parents expressing shock at the portion sizes provided in the school lunches. One parent mentioned that their child often came home hungry, while another compared the serving to what a nine-month-old baby would eat. Wigan Council and Westleigh St Paul’s Primary responded, reassuring parents that they were addressing the issue and adhering to government guidelines for school meals.
The school’s food policy emphasises providing a positive eating environment for children and encourages healthy choices for packed lunches. They offer hot meal options cooked on-site and aim to ensure children receive the meal of their choice every day. Despite the school’s efforts to promote healthy eating, parents like Nikki continue to advocate for better quality and quantity in school meals.
The incident has sparked a wider discussion about the importance of nutritious school meals and the need to ensure that children are adequately nourished during the school day. Parents and educators alike are recognising the impact that balanced meals can have on children’s health and well-being. As the conversation continues, the focus remains on advocating for improved school meal standards to support the overall development and education of young learners.