A ROW over a primary school's ban on packed lunches has led to several parents withdrawing their children.

Changes in the law mean all five, six and seven year-olds get a free school dinner, but at Milefield Primary, Grimethorpe, staff have gone a step further and insisted all children must have a hot meal.

That means parents of older children forking out £8.75 a week for each child for meals - with those who don't pay being warned of court action, according to the school's policy.

The Chronicle understands between eight and 14 children have been withdrawn as a result.

One parent who has removed her two sons, Sara Reynolds, is currently home schooling them. She said: "I am hoping I'll have them placed in another school by next term.

"The things on that menu my son cannot eat, he has been given special menus by a dietician. The only way my kids will be going back to that school is if the management changes."

Mum Vicky Swift, 34, of Windmill Avenue, Grimethorpe, is another mum who removed her son Jack and is teaching him at home until she can find a place at another school. "I've just lost all faith in the headteacher and the establishment as a whole. I can't see how allowing children to have a packed lunch in school is going to hinder anything.

"I want to pack my son's lunch myself, then I know he is eating a healthy meal, and I can see how much he has eaten when he brings it home to me."  

The school refused to speak to the Chronicle but Barnsley Council sent a statement, saying the intention was to ensure pupils eat more healthily, perform better academically as a result from health eating, improve their behaviour and improve their social skills.  

** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated September 12. **