A FURIOUS parent has criticised a school after his son was "hauled" out of the dining hall because his packed lunch did not meet guidelines.

Michael Stupples, 41, was "absolutely livid" when he discovered his son, Ryan, 10, a pupil at Lunsford Primary School in Larkfield, had been taken out of the hall and had to eat his lunch in the head teacher’s office because it was "in breach of the rules".

Guidelines - based on national recommendations and those given by Kent County Council - issued by the school at the beginning of term say food brought in by pupils instead of school dinners must contain no more than two snacks, no crisps, and no chocolate covered biscuits.

Single dad, Mr Stupples, of Nicholas Close, Barming, said he was appalled when he heard of the incident. According to Ryan, head teacher Malcolm Goddard had said his packed lunch contained more than two snacks.

Mr Stupples said: "I’m absolutely incensed. What 10-year-old boy won’t get upset when he is hauled out of a dinner hall in front of everyone and made to eat his lunch in the head teacher’s office?

"Angry isn’t the word. I’m furious, and mortified that my son has been treated like this."

According to Mr Stupples, Ryan’s daily lunch - consisting of either a jam or ham sandwich, a piece of fruit, a fromage frais, a small piece of cake, a packet of low-fat mini cheese biscuits and a bottle of water - was deemed unsuitable because the school considered the fromage frais, cake, and cheese biscuits, to be snacks.

In a statement, Mr Goddard, said: "We take healthy eating very seriously and everyone is aware of our new policies.

"A lunch was brought in which was not in keeping with our new guidelines and the pupil was given the chance to have his dinner outside the hall with supervision."

* FULL STORY IN THE KENT MESSENGER (OCTOBER 13).