A principal has been slammed for punishing kids whose parents are late with school lunch fees.
Controversial headteacher of Michaela Community School in Wembley, London, Katharine Birbalsingh had grown frustrated with reminding parents to pay for their children’s meals.
As a remedy, she brought in a ‘lunch isolation’ rule that parents have described as ‘cruel’.
The new rule was made public when mum Dionne Kelly, whose 12-year-old son Reon had just started at the school, received a letter from deputy head Barry Smith when she fell behind on meal payments.
The letter read:
‘The deadline for this term’s lunch payments was 1st June 2016. ‘You are currently £75 overdue. If this full amount is not received within this week your child will be placed into Lunch Isolation.
‘They will receive a sandwich and piece of fruit only. Only when the entire outstanding sum is paid in full will they be allowed into family lunch with their classmates.’
Even though Ms Kelly paid the lunch bill before the letter from the school arrived at her home, she claims her son was forced to endure lunch isolation anyway.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the outraged mother, who has since moved her son to another school, said she found the letter threatening: “Isolating children for their parents not paying upfront is degrading. It’s embarrassing for poor families.” she said.
Miss Birbalsingh told the newspaper she stands by her decision:
“The letter from Barry Smith…was sent in an attempt to encourage mum to change her ways and support her son by paying for his food.” she said.
“The vast majority of secondary schools use isolation to discipline children.”
What do you think, should children pay the price for their parents actions? Join the conversation on Twitter @HerFamilydotie.
