Cheshire: High school parent ‘shocked’ at raw chicken burger lunch

Ex-police officer Helen Clawson, was distressed when her daughter sent her a picture of her best friend’s chicken burger lunch, served up at Middlewich High School, which is visibly raw.

The school has taken this up with its caterer, Caterlink, which responded by saying 'it is confident all processes and procedures are being followed’.

Helen also provided pictures of other questionable dishes including what the Caterlink claims is a pizza, which she dubbed ‘revolting’.

She also says her daughter has gone hungry in the past when the kitchen ran out of food before the end of lunch service.

Helen, who is standing as an independent parliamentary candidate for Mid Cheshire, said: “It’s shocking. My daughter’s actually gone vegetarian after that burger.

Ex-cop Helen Clawson says her daughter went vegetarian after being served a similar burger - this one was served to her school friend (Image: Helen Clawson)

“It’s not just me. There’re lots of other parents whose children are getting served nothing, or raw chicken burgers.

“Everything’s outsourced, and it’s all for profit. The kids pay £1.80 for that  revolting pizza, and there wasn't even any topping on it.

“They don’t even ask who wants lunch, so they have no idea how many people they need to feed.

“They’ll naturally always err on the side of not enough because it’s just all about making money.

“The irony is, all around the school canteen they have posters about eating healthily, talking about salads and healthy meals.

Helen says the school calls this a pizza and charges £1.80 for it (Image: Helen Clawson)

“They don’t provide that for them. It’s just beige, uncooked pulp.

“There’s not even any salad on the burger.

“My daughter’s going in with a packed lunch now, but we shouldn’t have to do that. They shouldn’t leave us with no option.

“It’s a shame the children are suffering. For some of the kids, this might be the only hot meal they get in a day.”

Caterlink were approach for comment but did not respond, but a statement was issued jointly by Middlewich High School and its academy trust, the Sir John Brunner Foundation.

This is also supposed to be a pizza, according to Helen (Image: Helen Clawson)

A spokesman said: "Middlewich High School were made aware of a post on social media questioning the quality of the food served by our catering provider.

“An investigation was carried out by the provider, who is confident all procedures and processes are being followed to prepare the food.

“They also assured the school that all food due diligence records are correctly completed.

“Middlewich High School will continue to monitor the quality and quantity of the food and work with our provider."