PUPILS have been asked to sit in silence in the lunch hall so dinner ladies can hear their meal orders.

The move, which has seen two days of silence over lunchtimes this week, has been introduced at Friar’s Grove Primary School, in Colchester.

The school said it comes after a number of complaints from younger children about the noise, as well as problems being cited by dinner ladies who say they find it hard to hear children’s meal orders.

But the move has been opposed by some parents, who have labelled it “not normal or healthy”, while one mum compared the policy to one which would be implemented at the school depicted in the Roald Dahl classic Matilda.

In a response sent to all parents, head teacher Susan Shipp said: “Following concern that some of our young children are upset by the noise in the hall and that our cooks find it difficult to hear children’s food requests, we felt it was necessary to try to reduce the noise level.

“Our hall tends to bounce back any sound so it can become very loud [at] lunchtimes when up to 200 children are eating at the same time.

“We are currently investigating soundproof measures for the hall.

"We have also talked to children about modifying their voices but it is a hard habit to help them to break.”

She added: “For two days this week, we have asked children to be silent in the hall so that they could see how quiet they could be and what a difference they could make.

“Many of the younger children, especially, have said how much happier they feel about lunchtimes and many are eating more of their food as a consequence.”

Yesterday, children were again encouraged to talk and were reminded to use quiet voices.

The head added: “I am sure they will do this admirably and I am hopeful that this will help make lunchtimes going forward a more sociable and enjoyable time for all the children.”

Mrs Shipp also said the school had introduced a variety of initiatives to reduce noise but feltmore could still be done.

She added: "The lunchtime trial lasted for two days and has prompted a variety of comments from parents.

"We welcome the input and it will help us to continue to make lunchtimes at school a pleasant and positive experience."