PRIMARY schools in south Essex have hired sandwich companies to provide children with free lunchtime meals.

Under new Government guidelines, state-funded schools in England must offer free meals for all four to seven-yearold pupils.

Most infant and primary schools in Basildon, Castle Point, Leigh, Rayleigh and Southend already have kitchens enabling them to meet the new guidelines.

However, some are finding other ways to fulfil their obligations.

Saint George’s Catholic Primary School, in Eagle Way, Shoebury, is using a local sandwich company, Relish, to supply free meals for children because they do not have a kitchen.

Annabelle Smith, 39, headteacher, said: “We haven’t had a kitchen for several years because we did a survey asking the parents if they wanted their kids to have hot meals, or whether they thought their children could benefit from something else. Most parents said no and the space was turned into a community suite instead.

“It would be so much money to build a kitchen and it would take away from the children’s education, so instead we offer healthy lunches with fruit and vegetables, such as wraps, pasta salads and sandwiches.

“The children get an option of what they want every day and have a choice of seven or eight fillings.

“The parents can go online and choose what their child has to eat.”

The school even held a tasting event for parents, so they could try the food before buying it for their children.

The Government funds the meals to the tune of £2.30 per child, but the school can use the money to hire an outside firm to provide them.

Bournes Green Infant School in Burlescoombe Road, Southend, is also using caterers.

Headteacher Carol Sheern said: “We have never had a kitchen, so are providing healthy menus of wraps, sandwiches and pastas.

“We are unable at the minute to afford to build a kitchen because we do not have the funding.

“We send out menus to the parents to decide what their child would like to eat.”

Gary Soars, headmaster of Edward Francis Primary school, said his school was building a kitchen to provide the meals.

He said: “We believe the kitchen will be finished by November.

“In the meantime, we are offering those who are entitled to the free hot meals, packed lunches instead.

“These are coming from Fitzwimarc Secondary School, which makes them freshly for us and brings them over.

“We wanted to deliver goodquality meals to our pupils ourselves.

so we are building the kitchen to do so.”

Edwards Francis is looking to hire a cook, assistant cook and two assistants to cook the meals.