{"id":4292,"date":"2015-07-06T15:07:55","date_gmt":"2015-07-06T14:07:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zoeharcombe.com\/?p=4292"},"modified":"2016-08-18T17:30:18","modified_gmt":"2016-08-18T16:30:18","slug":"the-story-that-melted-my-outrage-scale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoeharcombe.com\/2015\/07\/the-story-that-melted-my-outrage-scale\/","title":{"rendered":"The story that melted my outrage scale"},"content":{"rendered":"
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This story got picked up by the media at the start of July, but it derives from a Q&A on the parliament web site between two Lords...<\/p>\n

On 16th June 2015, Lord Stoddart of Swindon, raised this query:
\n\u201cTo ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what powers teachers in the state sector have to inspect children's lunch boxes and to confiscate items that they deem unsuitable<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The reply came from Lord Nash<\/a> on June 25th. I have put the bit that was picked up by the media in bold:<\/p>\n

\u201cGoverning bodies are responsible for their school meals service including their packed lunch policies and whether to ban certain products to promote healthy eating. If schools wish to adopt such policies, we strongly recommend that they consult parents first and ensure that any adopted policy is clearly communicated to parents and pupils.<\/em><\/p>\n

Schools have common law powers to search pupils, with their consent, for items. There is nothing to prevent schools from having a policy of inspecting lunch boxes for food items that are prohibited under their school food policies. A member of staff may confiscate, keep or destroy such items found as a result of the search if it is reasonable to do so in the circumstances. <\/strong>It would be good practice for the pupil to be present during an inspection and for a second member of staff to be present if any items are to be confiscated.<\/em><\/p>\n

If authorities and schools are concerned about their legal position, they should seek their own legal advice<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The section in bold sent my outrage scale into meltdown. I\u2019ll try to explain why and then I\u2019ll offer some tips to parents in case this happens to you\/your child...<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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