Justin Tomlinson MP with two pupils of Westrop Primary School
Justin Tomlinson, MP for North Swindon today helped Westrop Primary School celebrate World School Milk Day by swapping his parliamentary duties for those of honorary milk monitor.
Westrop Primary School is one of thousands of schools across more than 40 countries taking part in celebrations dedicated to World School Milk Day this month. The day encourages children to drink milk and aims to educate them about the benefits of milk.
In the UK, school milk is free for children in day-care or primary education under the age of five, and subsidised for school students aged five to eleven. Milk is delivered fresh and chilled to the classroom, distributed by students and consumed as a group. This process helps teach children responsibility, independence, manners and numeracy, and provides important social time in a child’s day. Further, milk is vital for building healthy bones and teeth and improves a child’s concentration, memory and creativity.
Justin Tomlinson MP said "Drinking milk is a great way for children to get those vitamins and minerals vital to their healthy development such as vitamin C and calcium. I have done a lot of work in Parliament on promoting healthy active lifestyles for children, and diet is an important part of that. I am delighted to support World Schools Milk Day as getting children to drink milk every day at school is a great way to teach them about the eating habits that are important for their healthy growth."
Head of Westrop Primary School, Janet Urban, said “milk is an important part of the school’s healthy eating diet which they offer children every morning. It also helps us educate the children about its benefits such as strengthening teeth and bones and boosts energy."
World School Milk Day is celebrated globally on September 28th. For more information go to www.worldschoolmilkday.com
Justin Tomlinson plays milk monitor and hand out milk to the class