TEETHING problems aside, most schools in Swindon have adjusted to the introduction of free hot meals for children aged four to seven.

Since September, all pupils in this age group have been entitled to a free school dinner.

This has led to many schools having to find ways to suddenly feed large groups of youngsters with a short amount of notice.

In Swindon, there have been a few issues in getting hold of the required equipment and making sure the correct staff are in place, but headteachers have welcomed the overall plan.

One school looking to extend its dining area is Goddard Park Primary, as it looks to cope with an extra 120 pupils taking up hot meals.

Headteacher Mike Welsh said: “First of all I think it is good that every child is getting a free school meal. The issue is it was rather rushed so not everything was in place in schools across Swindon and the country.

“We are quite lucky in that we already had a kitchen so we have coped fine. The big problem has been every school ordering at the same time so we have been waiting for some catering equipment.

“Another issue has been finding the staff to serve the meals. We are ok but some places do not have access to people who can serve. There have been reports of headteachers having to serve the meals to cope.

“There have been some budget issues with schools having to pay for the changes. This will have a bigger effect on the smaller schools as money being used to pay for the meals will have more of an impact when it is moved.

“I welcome the scheme but it could have been implemented better.”

Others have warmly welcomed the move and said other than a few supplier issues, the free meals have been beneficial to the pupils.

Carol Dougill, the headteacher at Lydiard Millicent, said she hoped the scheme would be extended to other pupils.

She said: “It has been absolutely fabulous. Before it was introduced, about half of the pupils had a meal at lunch but now it is more or less all of them.

“We have had a few teething problems with the food suppliers but we can change menu when needed.

“We brought in a new chef and she has done some wonderful things.

“I personally believe that it should now be extended to every child.”