Elizabeth Wood, the headteacher of Oliver Tomkins Junior School who has decided that the school will produce its own hot meals and healthy food Picture: MATTHEW SWINGLER Ref: 76622-21SANDWICHES will be all that is on the menu for children at six Swindon primary schools now the company that provides their hot meals has quit.

The move has angered parents we spoke to outside one of the schools, who say their children need hot food during the day.

AIP, the catering company, which took over the provision of school meals at several Swindon primary schools in September, will withdraw its services after Easter.

It means headteachers have been forced to decide whether to employ a new contractor, take over the provision of hot meals themselves or serve sandwiches to children entitled to free school meals while the others bring packed lunches.

Some made the latter decision because the number of children taking up hot meals is low, meaning it is not cost effective.

Sandwiches will be served at Eldene, Nythe and Covingham Park schools.

And, until a new catering contractor can be found they will also be served at Brookfield, Peatmoor and Shaw Ridge primary schools.

Liden, Westlea and Oliver Tomkins schools have decided to do the catering themselves.

Jenny Grier, the chairman of governors at Eldene Primary School, said: "Our decision was not taken lightly.

"We thought it was very important to continue to serve hot meals up until now. We would like to have continued to do this but it is not financially viable.

"We have not had any feedback from the parents on our decision."

Elizabeth Wood, the headteacher of Oliver Tomkins Junior School, was inspired by the TV series Jamie's School Dinners to provide healthy meals for the children. She said: "We believe providing hot dinners is a vital part of the service we provide to our children.

"So we will be providing our own catering service for the children here and at Westlea.

"We will be basing our recipes on some of those from the Jamie's Dinners programme and have registered with the website.

"We will not be obsessed about the children eating healthy food but there will be an emphasis on healthy options and cutting out processed food with too many additives.

"I think there is enough evidence now that proves diet can have a direct impact on children's learning development."

Sally Cowell, the headteacher of Shaw Ridge Primary School, hopes to find a new contractor so she can provide hot meals for the children at her school, as well as at Brookfield and Peatmoor schools.

She said: "At the moment we are actively looking for a provider who can cook hot meals for our children.

"It is always something that governors have supported and valued.

"I am disappointed that we have to take this temporary measure."

Nobody from the AIP company was available to comment.

Nutritionist Esther Maxfield, of the Great Western Hospital, who is overseeing our Get Fit for '05 challenge, says hot lunches are not essential.

"The important factor is whether they contain fresh fruit and vegetables," she said. "A healthy salad would be fine. I would imagine vegetables cooked for schoolchildren are overboiled."

Diana Milne