Three in ten teachers believe the price of meals in their school do not represent value for money, according to a new survey.
A poll conducted by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers at their annual conference in Manchester (2-4 April ) revealed that 34 per cent of respondents believe schools meals are not value for money, despite a rise in the costs of meals this academic year.
According to the ATL, a rise of 50p over 190 days- the same number of days as a school year - would mean parents pay an extra £95 a year for their child’s school dinner.
Research by the consumer watchdog Which? found that school meal prices rose on average by at least 2.5 per cent last September compared to the previous year.
Speaking at the conference, a primary school teacher said, ‘There are times that meals are good but others when they are most unappetising. There are occasions when the portion size is very small and there have been times when portions have run out.’
Her comments were echoed by an early years teacher, who said, ‘Generally food is good but sometimes the advertised choice is unavailable and something else is given which the children wouldn’t necessarily have chosen and parents wouldn’t have signed up for.’
Another teacher commented, ‘The food provided for our school varies in quality. Some meals are delicious, others are far from it. The portions served to the children are very poor, and there seems to be no regular inspection of the food, kitchens or portion size by the local authority provider.’
The survey also revealed that a third of education staff reported an increase in the take-up of free school meals at their school or college in the past five years, with most believing the rise is due to the recession and more parents being made redundant.
According to the ATL, a rise of 50p over 190 days- the same number of days as a school year - would mean parents pay an extra £95 a year for their child’s school dinner.
Research by the consumer watchdog Which? found that school meal prices rose on average by at least 2.5 per cent last September compared to the previous year.
Speaking at the conference, a primary school teacher said, ‘There are times that meals are good but others when they are most unappetising. There are occasions when the portion size is very small and there have been times when portions have run out.’
Her comments were echoed by an early years teacher, who said, ‘Generally food is good but sometimes the advertised choice is unavailable and something else is given which the children wouldn’t necessarily have chosen and parents wouldn’t have signed up for.’
Another teacher commented, ‘The food provided for our school varies in quality. Some meals are delicious, others are far from it. The portions served to the children are very poor, and there seems to be no regular inspection of the food, kitchens or portion size by the local authority provider.’
The survey also revealed that a third of education staff reported an increase in the take-up of free school meals at their school or college in the past five years, with most believing the rise is due to the recession and more parents being made redundant.
