End of term celebrations are taking place across schools in Wales
this week where, for the first time, all primary school children
are entitled to a free Christmas meal.
Rhws Primary School in Rhoose is one school enjoying their free
Christmas dinner thanks to the Universal Primary Free School
Meals programme.
Since the completion of the programme in September, over 35
million meals have been served, with just under 175,000 learners
in maintained primary schools across Wales, newly eligible for a
free school meal since then.
Free school meals help to improve the attainment and behaviour of
learners, as well as promoting healthy eating and increasing
social skills at mealtimes.
Schools have also benefitted from funding to improve school
kitchen facilities with Rhws Primary School recently having had
upgrades completed in their kitchen and dining areas.
Vale of Glamorgan's catering service provider, The Big Fresh
Catering Company, Managing Director Carole Tyley said: “The
school staff, pupils, and catering staff at Rhws primary school
are very thankful for their new kitchen and dining hall, thanks
to The Welsh Government's funding for Universal Primary Free
School Meals.
“The kitchen has modern new equipment helping to provide healthy,
nutritious meals. The dining hall is a new, bright inviting
space, ideal for pupils to socially interact while sharing lunch
together.”
Visiting Rhws Primary School, Cabinet Secretary for Education,
said: “It has been great to
see the learners here at Rhws Primary School enjoying their
Christmas dinner. I'm extremely proud that Wales is the first UK
nation to offer all primary school children a free school meal.
“I would like to thank our local authorities and schools for
helping to make this a reality. We are helping to tackle child
poverty, as well as improving the wellbeing of our learners, and
this has already made a huge difference to families across
Wales.”
