Concerns raised at real cost of free school meals

Every child in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will be fed for free from next September.

The move, announced this week, will save parents about £400 a year per child.

But for some smaller schools in Shropshire and Mid Wales it will pose a challenge to meet the new-found demand for meals.

The majority of children in most primary schools now take sandwiches , and although they may not have the nutritional quality of hot food, they are convenient for schools that have limited capacity to accommodate the meals.

St Andrew's Primary School at Nesscliffe, near Shrewsbury, is one school that lost its kitchen.The school has just 56 pupils – 22 of whom have school dinners and with the proposals that figure would rise to 32.

Headteacher Deborah Mills said: "It does sound great that all reception, year one and year two pupils would get free lunches but in practice how will it work? Where will the money come from?

"The food is are delivered by car from Kinnerley School, which has a kitchen.

"Last year our transport costs for school meals alone was £6,000, so this year we have had to make changes to save that. I hope we get extra funding for these meals and not be expected to find it out of our budget."

The head of Belvidere Primary School in Shrewsbury, Andrew Davies, was all in favour of the scheme but was concerned as to where the extra funding will come from.

He said: "Providing free school meals is a good idea and one I wholeheartedly support. It is more a question of where the money will be found to pay for this. Shropshire has one of the lowest budgets per child for education and this can not afford to be stretched any more. Fresh funding must be found."

Teaching union bosses today claimed the decision was a knee-jerk reaction following the tragic case of four-year-old Daniel Pelka who was starved to death by his mother.

But they did agree it was something that needed to be done.

Christine Hargest, general secretary of Shropshire's National Union of Teachers said: "This is a fantastic idea.

"But in reality many school kitchens were closed to save money and now food arrives in taxis.

"It sounds great to say that all children under the age of eight will have free school meals.

"However, we do question how this will work."

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for children's services, said: "It's difficult to say much as this stage about the implications of this announcement.

"We don't yet know how the funding will be allocated at school or local authority level.

"However, any extra money coming into schools to help provide schools meals is to be welcomed, and will certainly help the long-term sustainability of the school meals service at our smaller schools."

The move was announced this week by Deputy Prime Minister, Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg, who said it was a proposal his party made to the coalition government.

Councillor Roger Evans, Liberal Democrat leader on Shropshire Council, today welcomed the news, adding: "I, with other Liberal Democrats have argued for some time that hot meals should be available for all school children and especially primary school children. It has long been accepted that children learn better when they eat a more healthy meal."