The survey was carried out for the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) and the online dinner money company ParentPay.

BBC: School meal rules should apply to academies - parents

This year, says Kristine Laca, head of admissions at the Tuck business school at Dartmouth, women's enrolments are down right across the industry.

ECONOMIST: Why more women don't go to business school

Beef is not served to any large extent for school lunches, according to Laca, with chicken and pasta and vegetable dishes being more popular.

BBC: School caterers 'confident' about meat supplies