School meal price freeze in Derbyshire

Derbyshire County Council has decided to keep meal prices at 2009/10 levels when pupils return for the new academic year in September. It means the price for primary school meals with stay at £1.85, with secondary schools meals remaining at £1.90. The prices are lower than many neighbouring authorities. Councillor Mike Longden, cabinet member for education, said: "The number of pupils eating school meals has risen in Derbyshire's primary and secondary schools over the last year. "We know things are tight for many parents and carers and have decided to freeze prizes because it is important for pupils to be able to enjoy healthy lunches. "Enjoying balanced and healthy meals can increased pupils' concentration in class and reduce the chance of obesity and associated problems." The level of primary and nursery school pupils having school meals in Derbyshire during 2009/10 is 44.1% – up 1.2% on the previous year and better than the national average of 41.4%. Secondary school pupil numbers having school meals during the same period rose 1.7% to 39.7% – better than the national average of 35.8%. The county council provides approximately 35,000 meals per day in 386 primary, secondary and special schools.