Stigma of free school meals

BARELY half of secondary school pupils entitled to free school meals in Nottingham are claiming their allowance.

City council figures show just 57% of the 2,000 children who can have the meals do so, meaning many may not be eating healthily.

One of the reasons suggested for the low take-up is a stigma attached to having the meals.

Coun David Mellen, the city council's portfolio holder for children's services, said he would look into ways of encouraging children to take up the offer.

"Healthy school meals are very important," he said. "We know about the problems with obesity, and if children aren't having the meals it raises the question of what they are eating.

"In these bad financial times it seems a shame that children are not taking up the offer of free meals."

Some Nottingham schools have come up with new ways to get pupils eating healthily.

Top Valley School has introduced strict rules governing whether pupils were allowed off the site at lunchtime.

Deputy head Sean Kelly said: "If pupils have a genuine reason for going off site, for example if they are young carers, we allow it. But we keep an eye on it.

"This is one way in which we can see what they are eating and keep them healthy.

"We were having a lot of children going to supermarkets and buying crisps and cans of drink.

"I do believe children don't want others to know they get free meals.

"But by becoming a healthy eating school we have gradually overcome this stigma."

Mr Kelly added that ensuring pupils ate healthily at lunchtime increased their productivity in afternoon lessons.

But he said many parents were not aware their children were entitled to the meals.

Lauren Connors, from the School Food Trust, agreed there were concerns about the criteria for qualification.

"We think schools can help make parents aware of what qualifies their children for the free meals," she said.

Helen Storer, head of nutrition and dietetics at Nottingham City Primary Care Trust, said: "Children and young people need a healthy, balanced diet.

"Free school meals can make an important contribution to a child's nutritional intake. We work closely with schools to not only encourage take up of free school meals, but to promote healthy eating in general."

marcus.boocock@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk