Triangular Flapjacks Banned At School

Triangular Flapjacks Banned At School
|

Triangular flapjacks have been banned at a secondary school after a flying oaty snack hit a boy in the eye.

Yes, it's another story from the Couldn't-Make-It-Up-Elf-N-Safety-Killjoys archive.

And this time, it's dangerous flapjacks on the menu.

Dinner ladies at Castle View School, Canvey Island, Essex, have been banned from baking the three-sided snacks after a pupil was hit in the face by the oat-based treat.

According to The Sun, the Year 7 boy suffered a 'sore eye' when he was accidentally struck in the face by the 10cm-long snack chucked by another child. He was patched up and sent home for the afternoon.

But head Gill Thomas quickly decided to ban kitchen staff from baking the three-sided desserts - ruling only rectangular or square flapjacks should be served.

A source told the newspaper: "It is true, it did happen. During lunchtime on Wednesday a boy was injured by a triangular flapjack that was thrown across the canteen.

"He went to the first aid office. It looked a bit sore but wasn't life-threatening or anything like that. It was an injury around his eye, it hit his face. He didn't need to go to hospital.

"It was an accident and no one got in trouble. The headteacher made the decision. I think whoever was in charge of the cafeteria reported the incident and from there the decision was made. It only covers flapjacks at the minute. The flapjacks are made on site."

Less than 24 hours after the food fight, school manager Keith Evans gathered the cooks and dinner ladies to tell them triangular flapjacks were off the menu.

Instead the tasty oaty treats can be sold only in four-sided shapes to ensure the 1,200 pupils can eat without fear of injury.

A school insider told the paper: "Apparently it's a health and safety issue. Staff have been told to stop making triangle-shaped flapjacks immediately.

"They were told they were a safety hazard as a child had been hit in the head with one.

"It's the most ludicrous thing I've heard. I thought it was a joke. Even if you only have rectangular or square-shaped flapjacks, the children could still break them into triangles and launch them at someone.

"It's very silly. You'd have thought teachers would have more pressing concerns on their minds than the shape of snacks and puddings."

An Essex County Council spokesman confirmed the school's decision but refused to comment. Both the school and headteacher also declined to speak on the subject last night.