{"id":2534,"date":"2014-09-10T10:35:02","date_gmt":"2014-09-10T10:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/?p=2534"},"modified":"2014-09-10T10:35:02","modified_gmt":"2014-09-10T10:35:02","slug":"free-school-meals-for-every-primary-school-pupil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/index.php\/free-school-meals-for-every-primary-school-pupil\/","title":{"rendered":"Free school meals for EVERY primary school pupil"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Tower\"<\/a>Tower Hamlets Council has gone above and beyond the Government\u2019s nationwide scheme by launching free schools meals for every primary school pupil in the borough.
\nIt has become part of a select group of councils by offering this service. Just three others currently provide free meals for all primary pupils.
\nLast year the council started providing free school meals for all Reception and Year 1 pupils. After the success of this policy, it has expanded the scheme to include all primary school children. This goes further than the Government\u2019s new policy, which only caters for the first three year groups.
\nThe Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, formally launched the policy today (Tuesday, September 9) by enjoying lunch with pupils at Chisenhale Primary School.
\nHe said: \u201cWe know the importance of making sure every child has a hot and nutritious meal every day. Healthy children make better learners and the high performance of the schools in Tower Hamlets is testament to this.
\n\u201cWhile news reports talk of free school meals causing a crisis in school kitchens around the country, here in Tower Hamlets we were already ahead of the curve.
\n\u201cWith the support of headteachers, our award-winning catering service has gone beyond the Government\u2019s policy and expanded its operation to serve a free meal to every primary school pupil in the borough every day.\u201d
\nEvery primary school pupil in the borough, including those at non council-run schools such as free schools and academies, has been entitled to a free school meal since the start of the summer term last week, regardless of their family\u2019s income.
\nCllr Gulam Robbani, cabinet member for education and children\u2019s services, joined Mayor Rahman at today\u2019s launch.
\nHe said: \u201cIt was great to meet the children today and to hear what they thought of their school meals. Back in my day it was all boiled cabbage and lumpy mashed potato but I was delighted to hear how things have changed.
\n\u201cThe children themselves say they look forward to lunchtime because the meals are tasty and healthy.\u201d
\nChisenhale pupil Magnus Thackway, 10, said: \u201cEverything about the food is really good. I normally eat a different meal every day and I enjoy trying new things.\u201d
\nAmelia Noor, 10, said: \u201cWhen it gets cold I can have a hot meal and when it\u2019s hot I can have something cold. All the meals are really yummy. My mum used to be a chef and the food is just as good here. I get nice food all the time.\u201d
\nHelen James, headteacher at Chisenhale Primary School, said 310 more pupils at her school were now enjoying a free meal every day.
\nShe said: \u201cI see what a difference it makes when a child has a healthy, hot meal inside them. The children learn to try new foods and have a sociable lunchtime together. It also helps them to work better in the afternoon after a proper lunch.\u201d
\nMyles Bremner is responsible for implementing the School Food Plan, which sets out to transform what the nation\u2019s children eat at school and how they learn about food. One of the actions is to roll out universal free school meals.
\nMr Bremner praised Tower Hamlets Council\u2019s latest initiative, saying: \u201cThe educational and health benefits of children all being given free school meals are well documented and I applaud Tower Hamlets Council for taking the bold step of investing in this important area. I hope other councils will follow suit.\u201d
\nThe council\u2019s school catering service was recently named the best in Britain at the Lead Association for Education Catering (LACA) Awards.
\nIt was also recently announced that Tower Hamlets is one of only four London councils to have been given an A* rating by the Marine Stewardship Council, which runs the world standard for sustainable seafood.<\/p>\n

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