Please Miss, can I have a sweetie for doing well? No, they're banned now

Published on Friday 19 March 2010 21:51

A PRIMARY head teacher was yesterday accused of "a nanny state mentality" after she slapped a blanket ban on children receiving sweets as a reward for good behaviour.

Parents at Arduthie Primary School in Stonehaven have started an internet protest against a series of "Draconian" restrictions being imposed by the school's head, Gail Macfarlane.

And primary seven pupils have started their own petition to protest against the decision to outlaw confectionery as a reward.

The package of measures being imposed by Ms Macfarlane also include a ban on:

&#149 Children's competitions or raffles which have confectionery prizes.

&#149 Teachers and parents distributing chocolates or sweets as gifts at the end of term.

&#149 Birthday cakes and sweet treats being distributed in class.

The head teacher has also ruled that the school's monthly Fair Trade Tuck Shop will be limited to sales of fruit and that pupils will no longer be invited to have fruit juice and a biscuit at "Pupil of the Week" meetings with staff.

One of the parents, Julie Irvine, has appealed to parents to take a stand against the new rules on her Facebook page.

Ms Irvine wrote: "I am really angry about this nanny state mentality."

And she added: "The government is wrong if it thinks excluding everything makes a 'healthy' diet. This is more likely to encourage a whole range of eating disorders. Kids know what is a treat, and it ain't dried fruit, etc.

"If they are pupil of the week, then they have earned the right to a treat and a slice of apple is not it."

Another parent, Laurie Morrison, said: "They'll be banning fun next. What a load of nonsense – did no-one tell them that these things in moderation are part of a healthy diet? I expect a ban on anything deemed unhealthy in packed lunches next."

The parents were yesterday backed in their protest by Wendy Agnew and the Campaign Against Political Correctness.

Ms Agnew, a local councillor, said: "It's crazy. I'm a great believer that children should enjoy school, and what's wrong with giving them a sweet as a treat?

"We all want children to be healthy, but I don't think a sweet or two is going to make their teeth fall out."

Laura Midgley, a spokeswoman for the Campaign Against Political Correctness, added: "It's ridiculous to consult parents, to get a resounding answer, and then to blatantly ignore what their wishes are. A few sweets here and there aren't going to hurt anybody."

In her letter to parents, Ms Macfarlane revealed that she decided on the radical policy change after only a tiny minority of parents at the school had complained about the existing rules.

She said: "To date, parents have always indicated that they were satisfied with the existing situation as reinforced in our recent questionnaire to parents – 94 per cent were in favour of keeping a sweet as one of the treat options in the Behaviour Management Programme.

"However, a very small minority professed dissatisfaction and disagreed with the majority verdict, and concerns have been raised with the elected representative on Aberdeenshire Council. This has dictated a review and revision of our current practice."

A spokeswoman for Aberdeenshire Council said: "The guidance issued by Arduthie school only applies to Arduthie school. The council will be issuing guidance to all schools regarding the national legislation in the future."

HEALTHY RULES

IN THE drive to tackle child obesity, the Scottish Government introduced the Schools Health Promotion and Nutrition Scotland Act, stipulating that primary schools should offer at least two portions of fruit and vegetables every lunchtime and limit deep-fried food to three items each week. A guide to Healthy Eating in Schools was also published to help implement the regulations. The standards for school meals say lunches must contain protein-rich and low-fat starchy foods, vegetables, fruit and