A boy was "fuming" after school staff took half eaten pizza from his dinner plate over a £10 debt.
Parents have come forward and spoken to The ECHO following claims Liverpool College on Queen's Drive "humiliated" pupils as they sat to eat lunch in the canteen on Thursday, February 2. Lunch staff reportedly came through the lunch hall with tongs to remove slices of pizza, cookies and bottles of water from plates, in front of other pupils, due to negative balances on lunch cards.
Now, the parent of a pupil who reportedly had a half-eaten slice of pizza removed from his plate has come forward and called the school a "disgrace".
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The mum, who asked not to be named said: "My son is on free school meals as I'm on benefits and I give him £10 a week for any other bits he wants. With his free school meals he gets a main, dessert and a bottle of water for lunch and a snack in the day.
"He prefers to not have breakfast and have a snack when he gets into school. I got a call from him on the day (Thursday) and he was furious telling me the staff had taken a half-eaten slice of pizza from his plate from his free school meal and put it into the bin.
"He had already eaten his dessert and had his water. I was furious because I only get paid once a month and in the cost of living crisis I think there should be more consideration rather than embarrassing kids in front of their mates."
A second parent, whose own children were not affected but were shocked to see the treatment of their friends, said she understands schools should not have to deal with the debts but "couldn't help but think" there was a better way to communicate with parents.
She said: "I cannot believe that any school would treat families like this particularly one which proports to have such high values. There are many families across the city who are struggling with the cost of living.
"Children having to call their parents telling them they need to top up in January must have been really embarrassing."
Principal, Mr Hans van Mourik Broekman, categorically denied any pupil has or will ever go without lunch at Liverpool College.
He told The ECHO: "No pupil at Liverpool College has ever or will ever go without a lunch. The College and its catering company partner do need to limit the amount currently owed by parents to our caterer as it is at unsustainable levels.
"We appreciate times are difficult and we will not see pupils go without a lunch. These policies have been explained in writing to parents and pupils, and the College has apologised for any upset caused by their introduction."
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