Fegg Hayes father fights headteacher in battle to ban biscuits at Stoke-on-Trent school's breakfast club

“From the picture it would seem that Mr Harper buys his biscuits in bulk. If that's the case no wonder he doesn't want them eating any more at the breakfast club. Or did the thoughtful photographer pause at the local shop before taking this shot? Why have I just repeated what the guy below said already? Why am I asking you? Think it's time for my KitKat.”

“Killjoy!”

“It seems from the photo that they have more than enough biscuits at HOME! Seems the usual Sentinel "look fed up for the camera" picture didn't quite work as the kids both seem unable to look at the camera straight...just sayin :-)”

“I agree with 'bobbies'. Drugs, anti-social behaviour, the jobless figures, crime, perhaps these are the subjects to discuss in forums such as this. As for the sale of biscuits to children that obviously haven't had any breakfast that morning, haven't been provided with the means to purchase an adequate breakfast or are just let out of the family home to fend for themselves, seems a little trivial for the front page of a newspaper, especially when there were stories inside the same paper that warranted a headline. When a child turns up clutching 5p having had no breakfast, what do do say -'sorry you are not allowed anything', it would be a sad day when you turn away a hungry child because their family have insufficient funds to feed them.

Perhaps, instead of criticising the school on a matter such as this, the local community could get behind them in an attempt to stamp out the current spate of break-ins. One was only to vandalise the school office causing considerable disruption and cost. The second, which was only last week, was to steal the milk that had been delivered for the youngest children at the school. Again this caused considerable upheaval and cost (they forced open the large school entrance gates). The money it costs to correct these mindless acts of vandalism and petty theft is far better spent on the education of our cildren.

So, rather than criticise, abuse and disrupt the school community, we could support them we would develop a more rewarding and nurturing environment for our children. Where the sale of a biscuit could be put into perspective!!!”

“Biscuits or no biscuits, it's about making good choices.. If you teach your children to make the correct choices then there wont be an issue. Anyway, breakfast cereal is packed full of sugar, it's just more acceptable because it's called breakfast cereal and not considered a treat... white bread, again not the healthiest thing to eat, add on your butter/spread and you have got yourself a calorie packed meal. Please, do some nutritional comparing to biscuits.

I'm sure the responsible adults that work within the breakfast club would not allow a child to buy ten biscuits at a time, like at dinner time when they are encouraged to choose vegetables over alternatives.

'Setting a good example' ? so a good example is ranting and raving at the Headmaster at the school gates in front of other parents and their children?

Sometimes a biscuit is the only thing some children get until dinner time because they get booted out of their house and for others who get their breakfast at home, it may be a mid morning treat. It all boils down to making sensible choices. If you don't wan't your children to eat biscuits at breakfast time, let it be known, but not everybody agrees, it's not like they are selling drugs. Now, pass the biscuits, it's time for a brew :)”

“Mr Harper does give his children porridge fruit cereal or toast for breakfast everyday. He first sent emails to the headmaster after previous chats with the teachers who supported what he was saying, an appointment with the headmaster was made and duly attended, he said he would consider it. three weeks pasted with the headmaster ignoring him and the only way to speak to Mr Milner at the time was by the school gate.For all those which say its a waste of time, so be it. however can you say you would be happy for you children to eat biscuits for breakfast. People send their children to breakfast club, those children then spend that money on biscuits, whilst the parents are under the impression their children are getting a good start when they are not.
This issue is so small and miniscule. AS soon as the headteacher realised that it's not his decision to make whether or not children can eat biscuits or cakes at breakfast time and infact falls short of the minimum standards, he should have stopped
No one said this was a big issue, no one (except the Sentinel) thought it a front page article. the fact remains that minimum that these standards are not being met. for all those that want to eat biscuits for breakfast, go for it no problem, but a school should set a good example”

“Bronson36, "some children can't face cereal or toast in a morning"- it all depends if they have been on the Cider the evening before. I think they should meet the guy in the middle, offer toast and chocolate spread. If he is that worried about what's on otter, and it looks like it if he's taken the time to yell his feeling at people at the school gates, he should ensure his children are getting a good breakfast at home. I would think the children's social needs can be met within school hours with or without biscuits.”

“I think Mr,Harper should think twice how he goes about his problems with the breakfast club has i don,t think shouting at the headmaster on the school gates in front of children and parents arriving to school.
He should have made a appointment with the headmaster.
I don,t see what is wrong with a biscuit some children can,t face cereal,toast first thing so a biscuit is more nutritonal than having nothing....
If Mr,Harper didn,t want his children to have biscuits then he should have told the teacher or sent a letter in.”

“Yes but children should be having a good , nutritional breakfast. These sort of biscuits have no nutritional value at all and should not be seen as a treat. Children will always opt for this sort of thing given the choice that is why I am surprised at the attitude of the school.”

“What a shame this person has nothing better to moan about,does he work for a living,if not then go and do some volantary work,you need to get out more.”