Bring back chips! That’s the message from pupils at a Shropshire school who led a protest against the “Jamie Oliver” dinners in their canteen.

The pupils at Church Stretton School took packed lunches on Thursday and refused their school dinner in protest to changes made by the school’s catering services. It comes after the student council circulated a letter among the pupils.

The letter informed youngsters of the changes which include pupils only being allowed one carbohydrate, less variation and having to pay 55p more for extra cheese.

Headteacher Steve Lunt confirmed there had been some changes in the catering department.

He said: “The letter was an attempt by students to explain about what we were doing to improve the service.

“The letter not only highlighted comments from other students but also offered suggestions on ways to improve the service including food theme days and offer schemes.”

He added: “We are proud of our catering services. There still remains a really good wide choice and the vast majority of our students eat in the canteen at lunchtime.”

One parent, who did not wish to be named, said: “The children went off with packed lunches on Thursday and they all boycotted the school dinners.”

Cathy Thomas, business manager at the school, added: “The protest went ahead. We knew it was going to happen and we are very proud of the kids for speaking out.

“It was mostly year 11 students but they did it maturely. They came into the dinner hall with their sandwiches and just made a quiet protest. We have organised three assemblies and we have invited Shire Services to come and explain to them why it is happening.

“We have introduced bigger plates and prices have not actually gone up. Most of the changes have involved things like everything must be locally sourced and nothing comes from a jar. None of the vegetables are frozen and they must be locally sourced.”

Bill Campbell, operations manager for Shire Services, added: “We are trying to get the school to conform with requirements. The pupils did not fully understand why these changes had to be made. There are nutritional guidelines in place.

“Over the past three years we have increased the sales at the school over 15 per cent year on year.”