A primary school in Sutton Coldfield has been forced to issue an apology after a message mistakenly banning pork products from packed lunches on a school trip was sent to parents.
The erroneous message that sparked confusion
Mere Green Primary School in Mere Green Road sent parents a reminder about an upcoming school trip to London scheduled for Wednesday, November 5. The trip was set to include visits to the Science Museum and the Royal Albert Hall.
The communication, shared via a private platform, contained a section titled 'What to Bring' which explicitly stated: "No nuts, coconut or pork in lunches please." This instruction, specifically the prohibition on pork, quickly raised concerns among parents and sparked discussion online about the restriction on common lunch items like ham sandwiches and pork pies.
School clarifies position and issues apology
After being contacted by BirminghamLive, a spokeswoman for the school confirmed the message was incorrect. She attributed the error to what she described as "an unfortunate human error."
The spokeswoman provided a clear correction, stating: "At Mere Green Primary School and all schools within The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), all meat products - including pork – are among the wide range of foods available as part of our daily school menu and can also be brought on school trips and visits."
Commitment to inclusivity following the mistake
In her statement, the school spokeswoman offered a sincere apology for the mistake. She said: "This was a genuine error and we would like to apologise for any confusion or upset that this may have caused to the families of our children."
She further emphasised the school's values, adding: "Our schools are diverse, inclusive and committed to supporting the needs of all children and families." This clarification confirms that the mistaken message did not reflect any official policy change regarding food items permitted at the school or on educational visits.
