A school has issued an apology after serving up a Christmas lunch labelled "pathetic" and "shameful" by parents.
The grub consisted of a £3.50 sandwich which contained a small piece of turkey and stuffing alongside a single pig in blanket on an unbuttered roll.
Accompanying the dinner at Steyning Grammar School in West Sussex was a single mince pie or mini roll, depending on what the student decided, as reported by Leicestershire Live.
Pictures of the sandwich were shared on social media by outraged parents, complaining that it was like "something out of Oliver Twist".
One furious parent said that their dog "eats better for half the price", while another slammed it as "pathetic", saying the establishment should "hang their heads in shame."
A very similar-looking Christmas lunch was also served at the nearby Bohunt Academy in Worthing - with both schools being a part of the Bohunt multi-academy trust.
Due to the outcry by parents, the school has officially apologised and offered refunds to students after describing the sandwich as "rubbish", "gross, cold and soggy."
The academy trust has blamed a supply issue for the sarnie, caused in-part by Covid-related staff shortages.
Dad Adrian Davey shared a photo on Facebook saying: "This is the #christmasdinner that Bohunt Education Trust Bohunt School charged us £3.50 for…
"It's like something from Oliver Twist, I wonder what the management are eating?"
Another parent wrote: "My two boys had their Christmas Lunch at school today and got served this…… Bohunt Education Trust is this acceptable and worth £3.50 each?
"I emailed the school this morning and have since spoken to one of the heads and a full refund has been given. They apologised and said it was down to shortages in the kitchen due to staff isolating.
"I'm not a happy dad this evening… it tasted awful apparently."
He added that he "wouldn't give it to his dog" and that his "pets eat better".
Another parent posted saying: "It was utterly shameful!"
While another Facebook user said: "I worked in school meals for years. That is disgusting. If we had produced that we would have been sacked."
Ciaran Walsh posted a picture of the sad meal on Twitter and said: "@Bohunt_Trust thanks for the Christmas lunch served to our kids at Steyning Grammar yesterday, really filled them with festive cheer!"
Associate headteacher of Steyning Grammar School, Natasha Nicol, later apologised for the meal in a letter sent to parents.
She said: "As you might be aware, the Christmas lunch menu yesterday was not of the standard that we would want or expect at SGS.
"Due to a combination of unforeseen supply chain issues and Covid-related staffing shortages, our planned offer was affected at very short notice.
"I would like to unreservedly apologise for this situation."
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