Redbridge Community School headteacher slams Chartwells food

Jason Ashley, headteacher at Redbridge Community School, has slammed the catering company Chartwells which caters food at the school and said if the food had been served to his own children he would be 'exceptionally unhappy'.

In the letter, which also included pictures of the food being served to staff, he said he hoped parents would be ‘as angry and disappointed as me’.

Mr Ashley said: “Frankly, the food that is served in the canteen is completely unacceptable, so much so, that if my own children's school served this I would be exceptionally unhappy.”

Chartwells has been contacted by the Daily Echo for a response to the criticism.

Jason Ashley, headteacher at Redbridge Community School (Image: Archive)

The headteacher at the school on Cuckmere Lane began by apologising for having to write the letter- dated March 12 - but added: "I can no longer keep this from you".

He said: “As the headteacher, you will often hear me say "if it's good enough for my own children, it has to be good enough for yours".

“Frankly, the food that is served in the canteen is completely unacceptable, so much so, that if my own children's school served this I would be exceptionally unhappy."

Food being given at Redbridge Community School (Image: Redbridge Community School)

I am simply fed up with the lack of progress being made.

He went on: “Unfortunately, Redbridge Community School has no control over the private company Chartwell's.

"This company provides the catering contract for the school. Myself and Mrs Wall-Bradfield have been in numerous meetings (the most recent this morning) and I am simply fed up with the lack of progress being made.

“We have concluded with our photo evidence that Chartwell's do seem to be unable to 'bake a potato' correctly.

“Our evidence shows that in recent times portions have gotten smaller, whilst prices have risen.

“For example, recently it was British 'pie week' and the pie served was of extremely poor quality when compared to our partner schools.”

I can no longer tolerate, provide reasons or even justify to you the unacceptable nature of the food

He added: “Moreover, for many of our students, a school meal is so important to them but I can no longer tolerate, provide reasons or even justify to you the unacceptable nature of the food.”

He appealed to parents for their comments about the food, saying: “Now, I could be completely wrong, misguided, fussy, difficult or on a different planet; so I will leave you to decide with a selection of photos taken (and this is served to staff) for you to make up your own mind.

“Therefore, I hope that you are as angry and as disappointed as me. For those of you that pay from your hard-earned wages - I can only apologise and I am sorry. However, nothing I seem to do or say makes any difference and I feel you have the right to know.

“Finally, I keep asking myself ‘how difficult is it to bake a potato’? Answers or a postcard to head@redbridgeschool.co.uk.

“Wishing you all the very best and I sincerely apologise for this failing.”

Chartwells has been contacted by the Echo for a comment.