Schoolboy, 6, suspended for having Mini Cheddars in lunchbox

All parents at the school were sent a letter saying that, from January 14, all packed lunches should be 'healthy and balanced' and that 'chocolate, sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks are not allowed'.

"We just do not see how they have the right to tell us what we can feed our son," said Riley's mother, Natalie Mardle, 24.

She said that Riley’s lunchbox usually contains a sandwich, a yoghurt tube, a Dairylea Dunkers cheese spread snack, and a packet of Mini Cheddars, with water to drink.

Riley was excluded, following a meeting between his parents and the headteacher about the contents of his lunchbox – which were continually found to be breaking the school's new policy.

"I would understand the exclusion if Riley was constantly throwing tables around or bullying other children," added his mum, "but it is just ridiculous for a packet of Mini Cheddars. Surely the headteacher has better things to do with his time than search lunchboxes?"

"We cannot talk about individual circumstances," said the school's headteacher, "but there is one family who are not prepared to support our healthy-eating policy. We are in discussions with them about how we move it forward."

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