A SCHOOL in Kidderminster says problems with school meal hampers elsewhere in the country haven't been an issue for their students after staff hit the road to deliver 240 food parcels to pupils learning from home.

Baxter College staff distributed the hampers, which were put together by caterers AiP, along with breakfast hampers funded through the National School Breakfast Programme.

The school has now moved over to the government-funded free school meal vouchers, which started to be rolled out across the country this week, but principal Matthew Carpenter said the stop-gap measure had been “well received”.

He said: “The logistics of providing food parcels for students entitled to free school meals is difficult to sustain and the vouchers give families the opportunity to buy what they know their children enjoy best.

“Some inadequate food parcels sent out last week nationally caused a furore, but I’m pleased to say that ours seem to have gone down well.”

One parent messaged: “Thank you so much for the hamper, it’s amazing,” while another wrote: “A massive thank you to Baxter and staff. Our hamper has just been dropped off – wow! To say I’m pleased is an understatement.”

The fortnightly breakfast hampers, which have been offered to all Baxter College students since last term, are ordered by families, put together by school staff and will be available for collection by parents on allocated days throughout lockdown.

Mr Carpenter added: “None of this is easy and the education sector is under enormous pressure to remote educate, feed, safeguard, virus test and protect from infection.

"It’s a herculean effort and everyone has risen to challenge, but that’s not to say there won’t be difficulties sometimes.”