Parents at The Limes Primary School in Suffolk, England, have accused the institution of using children as young as nine to perform cleaning duties in the dining hall, potentially to compensate for a shortage of staff.
Students in Years 5 and 6 are reportedly tasked with clearing plates, wiping tables, and sweeping floors. While the school maintains that these activities are intended to instill "age-appropriate responsibility," some parents suspect it is a measure to address a deficit in midday supervisors. These parents have also voiced concerns about the hygiene of the practice, noting that children may not be provided with gloves, and have criticized the reduction in playtime, which they believe is essential for students' mental recharge before afternoon classes.
"The issue is that the children are expected to handle other children's plates, cutlery and leftover food as part of the process," one parent stated, expressing worry that Year 5 pupils are undertaking tasks typically performed by lunchtime staff. "We are concerned that Year 5 pupils are effectively being used to carry out the duties of lunchtime staff, including cleaning up after several year groups and handling other children's food, plates and cutlery, while losing a significant proportion of their own lunchtime."
Another parent questioned the fairness of the system, arguing that it penalizes students for the actions of others. "Making sure each child cleans up after himself or herself is exactly what the school should be doing," they said. "But if you get them to tidy up after someone else that means that person has not done what they’re supposed to do. Why punish another child for something another pupil has done?"
The school, which opened in 2018 and was rated 'good' by Ofsted in 2023, introduced the lunchtime scheme last term. Other duties reportedly include removing used cutlery and emptying lunchboxes of food and leftovers. The school has around 370 pupils aged two to 11.
Parents claim that Headteacher Charlotte Thompson and the Reach2 Academy Trust have not responded to their concerns. However, public online comments appear to support the school's initiative, with remarks such as "Well done school, brilliant idea. More schools should do this. Training for life" and "Poor little dears, they might just grow up to become better citizens."
The Reach2 Academy Trust has not provided a comment. In a prior statement, a spokesperson for the trust denied that pupils were being used to replace staff or fill a gap, asserting that no reduction in lunchtime staffing had occurred. The spokesperson added that the tasks had undergone risk assessment, with accommodations made for children with special needs, and that pupils' reactions had been positive. The statement concluded, "We recognise that some parents have questions about the initiative and the school will continue to listen to and engage with families."
