Snack market ban

School clamp on ‘Del Boy’ pupils selling treats

TEACHERS at Failsworth School have been forced to crackdown on pupils making an illegal profit from selling treats and snacks — and being helped by their parents.

Students in all five year groups at the Brierley Avenue school have been bringing in snacks such as chocolate bars and energy drinks to sell on to fellow students.

But the sales have been branded illegal by the school who have threatened to exclude repeat offenders.

Staff first became aware of the trade before Christmas with bottles of Lucozade being sold but said they have seen more organised selling in recent weeks.

It is believed that parents are buying the banned items from cash and carry stores, which in turn help maximise profits.

Head teacher John Meagher said: “As a PFI school, we’re bound by the contract that school owners Kier Management and caterers Taylor Shaw are the provider of school meals.

“We’re also trying to make sure children have a healthy diet and healthy snacks are available at school.

“Some entrepreneurial young people in each year group have been selling the items and it is the selling on that is the issue.

“They are breaking the law, it’s illegal because they are making a profit.”

Letters to parents were sent home with pupils on Wednesday and a copy has been posted on the school website warning parents that students face a one-day exclusion if they are found to have the snack items on more than one occasion.

Assemblies have also been organised for all year groups to inform them of the situation.

Mr Meagher said: “No-one has been excluded yet, but we are prepared to take such action.”

However, one concerned parent said: “I think it’s disgraceful language to use the word ‘illegal’ in relation to what is entrepreneurship that should be encouraged.

“Many leading business figures start their careers off in some small way like this and to stifle this spirit at school seems wrong at the very time the UK needs to encourage people to start their own businesses.”