Essex Mum launches campaign to allow children to drink juice on hot days

An Essex Mum has a launched a campaign to overturn a ban at her child’s school that stops them drinking juice in the classroom.

Tammy Tillbrook, from Rayleigh, whose child attends Glebe Primary School started the petition to allow children to drink sugar-free juice in class following the recent heatwave.

At present the school only permits children to drink water in class and doesn’t allow any other drink or flavoured water. Following the petition launch more than 52 parents have signed it demanding the rules be relaxed.

Mrs Tilbrook, who has three children at the school feels children who don’t like water should be given the option of having juice on hotter days to avoid the risk of dehydration.

However, the school initially only allowed water as they wanted children to stay healthy, but parents see that not allowing other drink options could be more unhealthy if children opt to drink nothing at all.

Mrs Tilbrook said: “There needs to be a change as a lot of children are quite stubborn when it comes to drinking water and some kids would rather dehydrate than drink it and then come out of school with a headache.

“It’s not like we are asking to allow fizzy drinks. It’s just sugar-free squash the children want.”

But, Sam Warner, the headteacher of Glebe Primary school believes their current policy to only allow water is in the best interest of children.

Stating: “As is the case with many schools, we ask that pupils drink water rather than juices or squashes in the classroom during the day.

“Water is not only healthier but is also more hydrating, which is especially important in the hot weather we are currently experiencing.”

The school said the policy has always been in place and despite the petition the majority of parents are very supportive of it and there are no current plans to alter it in anyway.

 

Image courtesy of the Echo