A primary school in Blackpool, Lancashire has made an online announcement stating that birthday cakes were no longer allowed to be brought into the school.
Via their newsletter, Norbeck Primary Academy announced their decision stating it was due to pupils being allergic to some or all of the ingredients.
Explaining that it was “too much to expect teachers to read ingredients lists” on a busy day, head teacher Karen McCarter said that any cakes brought in would be sent home uneaten.
"I hate to be a kill-joy, but we have decided that it is no longer possible for children to bring birthday cakes to school. There are many reasons for this, some of them serious," she wrote.
"As we are not able to account for the ingredients in the cake, we could therefore unknowingly give a product to a child to which they are allergic.”
"Even if we had a list of ingredients, in a busy school day, it is too much to expect teachers to read ingredient lists and then decide who can and who cannot eat the product.”
Finishing her letter, Ms McCarter added: "All children are made to feel special when it is their birthday and the class teachers ensure that all birthdays are remembered and celebrated.”
"The birthday cake is something to share outside of school with family or with friends at a party, like it always has been.”
"I have asked parents not to send their children to school with cakes in the future and no-one has been in touch to express any concern about the decision."
However, Campaign for Real Education chairman Chris McGovern has slammed the school’s decision, saying that while they need to act sensibly they can provide for children with allergies.
“They should not be spoiling children's birthday for health and safety by taking away a child's birthday treat. Parents can provide a list of ingredients and the school should provide an alternative treat. The allergies thing is very important. But children who have allergies do not want their class mates to miss out anyway and would probably bring an allergy free alternative.”
