A mother has been banned from entering her children's primary school after leading a parents' revolt against new healthy eating rules that prohibit flavoured water in packed lunches.
Bernadette Finnegan, 48, from Bucknall, was issued an interim ban from Abbey Hulton Primary School after she complained about the policy and joined other parents in protest outside the school gates. The school now requires children to bring only milk or water to drink, banning diluted squash and flavoured water.
Ms Finnegan had arranged a meeting with the headteacher to discuss her concerns, but received a text message stating she was banned from the premises following legal advice. She said: 'I phoned up on Tuesday morning and they said the headteacher was off site... Just after 1.30pm I received a text from the school saying I was banned.'
The school's policy also bans chocolate bars, sweets, sausage rolls, cereal bars, and cans of pop from packed lunches, instead recommending fruit, vegetables, sandwiches, rice or pasta, and dairy products. Parents argue the rule discriminates against children who bring packed lunches, as school dinners include items like battered fish and chips and cheese oatcakes.
Ms Finnegan, whose son Callum, nine, was recently diagnosed with autism, said she is worried about the impact on him. She added: 'I am not really afraid of the ban because if anything it is making me more determined to fight for the rights of the children.'
A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesman said: 'We would always hope that schools and parents can resolve disputes amicably. As an employer we do not tolerate the abuse or intimidation of our staff.'
