Parents' fury over 'absolutely disgraceful' school lunch wrap with just one meagre slice of ham, Scarborough UTC meals under scrutiny

A parent at Scarborough University Technical College sparked online fury after their child shared a photo of a school lunch—a wrap containing a single slice of ham. The pupil, at the UTC, posted the image in a local Facebook group and said the meal was provided by the school. The post noted that phones are not allowed during school hours, which the family suggested had helped keep the issue out of public view.

The parent later added that there were two slices in the packet and argued that, given the price, the condition of the food was unacceptable. The image and accompanying posts drew more than 100 comments from other parents expressing disbelief and frustration over what they described as a paltry portion.

One commenter described the wrap as "disgraceful, dry plastic wrap." Another user wrote that the item looked like "a rolled up panty liner." Several posts emphasized that families relying on school meals—particularly single parents who may pay for meals for multiple children—could be affected by such portions.

According to the school's online lunch menu, wraps for pupils in years 9–13 are priced at £2.15 for plain and £2.80 for premium. Scarborough University Technical College is a mixed University Technical College located in Scarborough; it opened in 2016 and serves students aged 14–18 at Weaponness Coach Park in a purpose-built building.

The posts reflect ongoing scrutiny of school-meal quality and value, with some parents arguing that meals funded by families should meet basic standards. The school has not publicly commented in the posts cited, and no official statement was reported in the notes provided.

The incident, initially reported in local outlets and replicated on social media, highlights ongoing concerns about nutrition, affordability, and the fairness of meal provision in schools across the country.