Old Palace School is no longer serving Halal meat on its school menu after parents complained.
The Whitgift Foundation’s John Whitgift Schools committee took the decision after some parents were furious pupils were not being given a choice.
The Halal method, in which animals are slaughtered by a single slit to the throat, is the only was of killing livestock allowed under Islam.
But the method is deemed cruel by some animal-lovers, who object to the slow death it involves.
In a letter to parents, after taking advice from religious leaders, chair of the committee Rosemary Jones said: “We have decided that Halal meat should no longer be served to our pupils in line with what we understand is the general policy adopted by multi-faith schools.
“We shall continue to offer a hot vegetarian option and an extensive range of cold salads as an alternative meal for those pupils choosing not to eat non-Halal meat.”
The menu was changed in November after the Advertiser revealed some parents had no idea the policy had been in force at Old Palace for up to 10 years.
Parents furious about the Halal policy were from the recently amalgamated Croham Hurst School and were labelled “racist bigots” by Old Palace spokeswoman Lucy Mazzeo.
Mrs Jones added in the letter: “We are very sorry for any anxiety or offence that may have been caused by this issue or by the recent articles and letters published in the local media.
“As a Christian Foundation, we celebrate the diversity of all the cultural and religious groups attending our schools.”
Old Palace refused to answer further questions on the decision.