admin UK , The Department for Education has told schools to ensure their own sources of food in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal, as part of an urgent appeal to gauge preparations for Brexit.
The letter from the DfE – sent out this week and revealed by the education company Tes – was criticised by school leaders for putting the burden for maintaining food supplies on English schools and councils without giving any practical advice or support.
It comes after a secret DfE briefing paper last month warned of food and travel disruption possibly leading to school closures, as well as difficulties in administering exams, if there were a no-deal Brexit.
A recent survey of universities found some colleges were planning to stockpile food and other essential supplies, including toilet paper, in expectation of shortages.
In the letter, Theo Agnew, the schools minister, asked schools, local authorities and academy trusts to complete a survey on their no-deal preparations “as a priority” by 27 September. He said schools would need to find out if substituted food supplies after 31 October met nutritional standards, and whether suppliers could accommodate special dietary needs and allergies.
The government has this week sent similar surveys to universities and colleges asking about their preparations.
Lord Agnew said: “The government is already engaging with a wide range of school food stakeholders, including working directly with suppliers, to support industry preparedness and ensure continuous supply ahead of 31 October.”
“This is to ensure that suppliers are making the necessary arrangements to continue the supply of food to schools, and to make sure that schools can continue to meet nutritional standards, accommodate special dietary needs and manage allergies, for example when introducing any substitute products.”
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of Schools and College Leaders and a former secondary headteacher, said the government had done little to help schools.
He said: “Lord Agnew’s letter puts an onus on local authorities and schools to prepare for Brexit while giving them only the vaguest idea of what to expect. There is little in the way of practical advice other than telling them to contact their food suppliers to check what arrangements have been put in place over the supply of school meals.
A DfE spokesperson said: “The DfE has already made extensive EU exit preparations, including providing guidance for schools and councils to help them ensure a smooth transition. We continue to work with our stakeholders to make sure they are aware of what they need to do and are as best prepared as they can be.”
Source: ukeducationnews
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