Headteacher forced to apologise over school drinks policy after fierce backlash
St Joseph's RC High School's new drinks policy has been implemented in a bid to cut down on single-use plastic — but not all parents are happy about the changes being enforced.
A headteacher has been forced to apologise after a new school drinks policy sparked outrage among parents.
In an effort to reduce single-use plastic, pupils at St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich, Bolton, can no longer purchase cartons or bottles from the canteen. Instead, new drinks machines have been installed and each student has been given a complimentary water bottle.
They can fill this up with one of the flavoured drinks, which cost 70p and are bought using a token, or they can opt for free water from one of the school's water fountains. But the policy has sparked outrage among parents who shared concerns that children who forget their bottles would be left unable to get a drink during the school day.
READ MORE: Parents accuse school of changing uniform rules just days before kids returnREAD MORE: Energy drinks to be banned for under-16s – see which popular drinks will be hitThe initiative, which was suggested by the students themselves and proposed by the school's 'eco group' and student voice team, has been in the works for some time. However, when the school reminded parents of the new policy ahead of the new academic year this week, it caused confusion and anger. Some parents expressed concerns that their children would forget their water bottles and 'dehydrate'.
The school shared a post on its Facebook page explaining: "Drinks will now be purchased via a token system and then a water bottle can be filled using the drinks machines which have been installed in the school hall."
It added: "Should a student forget their water bottle there will be no capacity to purchase a drink from the canteen in a bottle or carton so please encourage your child to remember their water bottle every day. We are keen to protect our planet both in terms of the litter and plastic that goes to landfill."
The school's decision sparked a flurry of responses, not all from parents of pupils at the school, as dozens accused the institution of potentially leaving children without hydration throughout the day, reports the Manchester Evening News. "Shocking to think a child will go all day without a drink if they forget the bottle! Let's face it we all forget from time to time we're only human," one person commented.
"This is bonkers I think," another chimed in. "Kids should be able to take their own in if they want." In response, the school assured that no child would ever be left without water.
"Anyone who knows our school knows that we would never let a child go without a drink through the day and they will be able to use one of the water machines in school," it stated. "This might be a little inconvenient for them because they will have to ask for a mug and then wash it afterwards."
Headteacher Tony McCabe has since apologised to parents for the confusion, stating that comments on the school's Facebook page 'made assumptions about what children would and wouldn't be allowed to do, thus making our parents and carers panic unnecessarily'. He added: "Students, parents and carers will be aware from our recent newsletters that we have had a new drinks machine installed in school.
"After listening to our Eco group and working with our student voice team we have been looking for better ways to provide drinks for young people in a more sustainable way. The young people share the desire to cut down on single use plastics to help protect our planet and have visioned for a way for young people to fill a bottle with healthy flavoured options.
"The intention is to educate young people to develop sustainable habits that are ethical from an environmental point of view. The student voice team chose the initial flavours as we launched the new initiative and all students have been gifted a re-usable 'St Joseph's' drink bottle.
"These are compatible with the new machines. Students can bring their own drink in from home, or indeed their own water bottle as most already do. They may fill up their water bottles for free from one of our water fountains during break times."
Every pupil has been provided with a complimentary water bottle and replacement bottles can be bought for £1.50 from the school.