A mum has blasted a school for ignoring the true meaning of Christmas after parents were told if they had an outstanding food bill their child would not be allowed a festive meal.
On December 10 and 12, pupils at Little Mead Primary Academy will be sitting down to tuck into a special Christmas meal - an event the entire school is looking forward to.
But some kids will be pulled aside and made to eat a packed lunch on these days - because their parents have not paid off their children's food accounts at the Southmead school.
Bosses at the academy said they had a 'tight' food budget and needed to ensure bills were paid.
Claire Smith, whose child is in Year 1, said she was appalled by the policy.
"I think all children at every school should be invited to Christmas lunch - it’s surely an intrinsic meaning of ‘Christmas’," said the 40-year-old.
"Christmas is supposed to be a time for giving to those less fortunate and the school seems to have totally missed the point.
"They are holding parents over a barrel at a time of year that can be really hard for parents finanically.
"The school never seem to signpost the concerned parents to support or debt clearing options."
Last year, a few parents sent their kids it with the £2.25 charge for the festive meal but the money was taken off them and instead put towards their debt, it's been alleged.
"There must be a better way for the school to retrieve the money than by refusing to allow children to have a Christmas meal - it's the children who will suffer because their parents don't have the money," added Claire.
School Business Manager, Abigail Martin, said: "The message was sent to parents and carers regarding the arrangements for this year's Christmas lunches.
"On Christmas lunch day, as is the case for the rest of the year, we always ensure that every child has lunch no matter what.
"Due to tight school budgets, when children aren’t eligible for free school meals, it is important that we work with parents to keep up payments for school dinners provided. This is our usual reminder."
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