Dad claims a lack of school communication

UNHAPPY . . . Neville Twigg with his son Isaac

PUPILS struggled to rehydrate when their school canteen shut for two days ­in the middle of this week's blistering 25C heatwave.

The closure sparked rumours of a mouse infestation with one parent unhappy about the availability of cold drinks.

The lower school kitchen at Royton and Crompton High School was closed on Monday and Tuesday during the hottest week of the year so far.

Neville Twigg, of Burley Crescent, Fitton Hill, whose son Isaac attends Royton and Crompton, was left frustrated by a lack of communication between the school and parents which left him unaware he should prepare Isaac with a packed lunch alternative and resulted in his son struggling to get a drink throughout the school day.

Royton and Crompton High School closed its canteen once before in April due to a mouse infestation with Mr Twigg claiming the problem has returned.

Prepare

Mr Twigg said: "We're not getting any communication from the school.

"All we are getting is the information from our children.

"We don't know why it is shut because the school won't tell us about it, it is down to the school to inform the parents so we can prepare for it, we can give them food and we can give them a drink.

"It is hot weather, it is a long day and the kids are sitting there sweating all day. It is having a big impact on Isaac and it is really affecting his work because he is worried about getting a drink.

"The minute he got into the car he asked for a drink straight away.

"I'm very frustrated with the school because we have had no information, if we get that then we can understand what is happening. At the moment we're being kept in the dark."

The school maintained it did inform students about the closure and a provision of cold food and drinks was available until Wednesday when the hot food service resumed.

Royton and Crompton declined to answer specific questions on whether there had been a mouse infestation but said they were not currently affected.

Dr Kevin O'Hagan, Royton and Crompton School headteacher, said: "At the start of the day on Monday, we were informed by our catering provider that the provision of hot food would not be available until Wednesday.

"All pupils were informed at the start of the day that an alternative provision of cold sandwiches, cakes and drinks would be available on Monday and Tuesday, which met the school's mandatory requirements in this respect.

"All pupils were able to obtain food and drink throughout the lunch break as normal. A full catering service including hot food and drinks resumed on Wednesday.

"Like any ageing building, surrounded by open fields, we will on occasion find that we have to deal with pests

"We subscribe to an annual pest control service level agreement with the local authority in order to manage this, together with remedial works to improve the fabric of the building where required to minimise such occurrences. There is currently no mouse infestation."

Dr O'Hagan added: The welfare of our pupils is a priority, and as such we ensure that the offer of food and drink for the school day is available and that al pupils are fully aware of the catering service available to them."