Now woke headteacher who banned punishments and shouting at children forces pupils to go VEGETARIAN 'to stop climate change': Fury as meat is BANNED from canteen and lunchboxes in 'ludicrous' move at Lancashire primary

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Parents have blasted a 'ludicrous' rule forcing pupils at a primary school to become vegetarian to 'help the planet'.

Barrowford Primary School in Lancashire has banned meat from lunchboxes and its canteen in order to educate children about the environmental impact of eating animals.

The rule was introduced last year, but parents were not told until a letter was sent out by the school on Thursday. 

In the letter, headteacher Rachel Tomlinson said she had made the decision in order to 'stop climate change'.

She cited the carbon footprint caused by the livestock industry and that meat and dairy products 'come at a huge environmental cost.'   

But parents have reacted with fury, with one mother threatening to move her daughter to a different school. 

Barrowford Primary School was branded 'inadequate' by Ofsted in 2015 - the office's lowest possible rating, before achieving a 'good' rating just one year later.

Tomlinson at the time received widespread criticism for her controversial approach which prevented teachers from raising their voices and removed all punishments for misbehaving students.

Barrowford Primary School in Lancashire has banned meat from lunchboxes and its canteen in order to educate children about the environmental impact of eating animals. The rule was introduced last year, but parents were not told until a letter was sent out by the school on Thursday. In the letter, headteacher Rachel Tomlinson said she had made the decision in order to 'stop climate change'

Barrowford Primary School was branded 'inadequate' by Ofsted in 2015 - the office's lowest possible rating, before achieving a 'good' rating just one year later 

Tomlinson said: 'We made our school lunches meat-free to demonstrate how each of us making a small change to our daily habits can have a much wider positive impact, and that reducing meat consumption is just one way to do this. We have been careful to approach this in a balanced way, and teach that it is fine to eat meat, but that reducing our consumption can help our planet'

Zoe Douglas told The Sun that the meat-free rule was 'a joke'.

She said: 'I think they forget that non-meat eaters and vegans have to take a lot of supplements.

'What supplements they getting instead at that school? Nothing, probably saving on food costs.'

Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said children should not be forced to give up meat.

'Vegetarian is a choice for when they are older. Why not accommodate the veggies, vegans, whatever and add to the menu instead of making our kids adapt?

'And to request parents pack lunches that are veggie as well, not to mention the local farmers, this is absolutely ludicrous.' 

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told MailOnline that schools should 'stay well clear' of banning meat.

He said: 'It is increasingly clear that decisions to ban meat have become political statements used by some local authorities, which have nothing to do with the environment.

'Schools should obviously stay well clear of going down that route.

'While providing youngsters with the knowledge of how food is sourced and talking about balanced diets should be encouraged, it must not be up to individual head teachers to dictate whether or not meat can be consumed by its pupils.

'That decision must come down to parents and guardians and them alone.

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told MailOnline that schools should 'stay well clear' of banning meat (stock picture)

'Schools would be better off teaching the value of sourcing nutritious, sustainable meat produce from local farmers and could benefit from listening to those stalwarts of our countryside directly.'   

However, some parents have welcomed the school's decision.

Lauren Stirzaker Jackson said the school was 'trying to cater to everyone', adding that 'the lunch choices are great'.

She continued: 'If people are upset they have the option to send a packed lunch if they wish, nothing is forced.' 

Despite the outcry, headteacher Rachel Tomlinson said the school had not received any complaints.

Tomlinson said: 'We made our school lunches meat-free to demonstrate how each of us making a small change to our daily habits can have a much wider positive impact, and that reducing meat consumption is just one way to do this.

'We have been careful to approach this in a balanced way, and teach that it is fine to eat meat, but that reducing our consumption can help our planet.'

Back in 2015, Barrowford Primary School was told to improve or face action after it was branded 'inadequate' by Government inspectors.

The school faced ridicule and condemnation from parents after Tomlinson ripped up the rule book and scrapped all punishments for bad pupils.

She also banned teachers from raising their voices insisted no child was ever to be considered naughty.

Parents and campaign groups called for Tomlinson's resignation over her controversial approaches, and blamed her for the school's decline from a 'good' Ofsted rating in 2012 to 'inadequate' just three years later.

One parent said: 'She should resign. You can't experiment with childrens' futures, fail spectacularly and then keep your job. She should go.' 

Another, with two boys at the school said: 'I teach my both my sons right from wrong when they are at home and I feel my hard work is being undone by the school.'

'If a pupil misbehaves, they are sent to a chill-out room where they play on iPads and Xboxes. That is just encouraging them to be naughty.' 

Parents and campaign groups in 2015 called for Tomlinson's resignation over her controversial approaches, and blamed her for the school's decline from a 'good' Ofsted rating in 2012 to 'inadequate' just three years later

Back in 2015, Barrowford Primary School was told to improve or face action after it was branded 'inadequate' by Government inspectors

Chris McGovern of the Campaign For Real Education said the no-rules policy was an 'educational fantasy' that was a 'betrayal' of the children.

He said: 'A recipe of disaster is what it is. Children need boundaries, they need clarity and they need guidelines, and a free for all is almost destined to fail.

'This experiment education is really fashionable and schools shouldn't need Ofsted to tell them that this is damaging the children's education and future. That is unfair.

'The school should hang it's head in shame because it is betraying the children. I'm reassured to know that at least Ofsted has the integrity to make a statement and say this isn't working.'

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