THE majority of parents in Exeter are choosing not to pay for their children to have milk at primary school, early figures reveal.
New legislation by the School Food Plan came into effect on January 1 which makes it mandatory for all primary schools in England to offer semi-skimmed milk during school hours.
Since coming into force, 16 new schools now offer the full scheme – milk for children up to 11 years old – but just over 500 new drinkers have signed up to it.
Latest figures reveal there are now also more than 200 new drinkers now on the School Payment Scheme (SPS ) where schools choose to pay for children to have milk out of the school budget.
Under fives can receive one third of a pint daily for free, along with all children entitled to free school meals, but parents of older children are required to pay 22p per day.
The 'subsidised' rate equates to £2.64 for four pints – considerably higher than the price of milk in supermarkets, with some charging as low as 89p to £1.
The UK's leading supplier of milk to pre-schools, nursery settings and schools is Cool Milk. It operates alongside local dairies to ensure settings receive a fresh, local, milk supply.
In Exeter, Cool Milk currently serves 52 schools, 22 of which offer the full scheme, and 30 of which offer milk to under 5s only.
When asked if the price of the milk payable by parents was a competitive price, a spokesperson for Cool Milk said: "The costs are not comparable; 89p in supermarkets is less than the farmer's costs before processing and distribution. Doorstep delivery is 81p per pint.
"Parents can pay for in advance for the whole year, about £42, a term, about £14, a half-term, about £7, or even just for a couple of weeks."
Among the 16 new schools to have signed up to the scheme in January is St Michael's Church of England Primary Academy in Heavitree, Exeter. Out of its 403 pupils, 74 have signed up to the scheme and of those, almost a third are reception children aged five and under.
Figures have continued to fluctuate with more children being signed up, but also with some children leaving the scheme.
Sara Lee, administrator, said: "We've seen an increase in parents signing their children up, but some have pulled out of the scheme as their child was not drinking the milk. Schools have the option of signing children up automatically – under 5s and those entitled to income related free school meals, but we decided not to because of the amount of wastage. Instead we're relying on parents to sign up to the scheme."
She adds: "Cool Milk has provided the school with a new fridge to store the milk in and all we're required to do is a little bit of administration and give out the milk which we do at mid-morning break. We've had a couple of parents ask if there is an alternative because their children have a dairy allergy, but unfortunately there isn't so parents have to provide it themselves."
At St David's Church of England Primary School, Exeter, they have seen the uptake dependent on age with more children aged five to eight have signed up to the scheme than older children in Key Stage 2.
School administrator Katie Metherell said: "There has always been an option here for parents to purchase milk through Cool Milk, but it's just been publicised more recently.
"This year we've had four or five sign up to pay for it in the older age groups, but we are an exceptionally small school with just 96 pupils.
"Those on free school meals had the option whether they wanted free milk too and the uptake has been 100 per cent, and they are drinking it so it's fantastic.
"What we're hoping is the children we don't receive it for free see others drinking it and decided they want to have it too."
Elsewhere at St Thomas Primary School, the milk scheme is yet to be implemented and is currently being discussed by its governors.
Emma Fewins Kessie, a mum-of five, said: "I personally think it's expensive, especially when you have more than one child, and also the fact milk is so cheap in supermarkets.
"My children have a well balanced diet so it's not needed, plus some days school meals provide milk or milkshake as per the menu so that's good."
Suzanne Lyon, who has a seven-year-old child said: "My daughter doesn't have much milk at home so I signed up to the scheme, but what I don't like is the fact children see others having it and would like it, but their parents may not be able to afford it so it's just more financial pressure on parents."
The new school milk legislation has come into force because the School Food Plan say milk is an important part of children's diets and giving it during the school day provides an important energy and hydration boost.
Schools and parents can sign up to the Cool Milk scheme all year round.
A spokesperson for Cool Milk said: "We are encouraging those settings who don't yet offer milk at school to sign up soon to ensure they are meeting the requirements specified by the government and helping to increase their children's calcium intake. The legislation came into force on January 1 and schools are now legally required to meet these requirements."
