As part of the new Design and Technology curriculum pupils aged 5 – 14 are required to participate in practical cooking sessions at school on a regular basis.

In Key Stage 1 pupils should be taught:
To use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes 
Understand where food comes from. 

At Key stage 2 pupils should be taught:
To understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet 
To prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques 
To understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed. ​

​Children in EYFS and KS1 have a chance to cook or bake at least twice every term.  It is hoped that through cooking regularly at school, children will learn an essential life skill and become competent cooks. Children learn the theory as well as practical lessons and take their cooking home so they can share it with friends and family. 
We want the children to begin to understand the principles of nutrition, healthy eating, seasonality and where their food comes from during their time with us. But most importantly we hope to instill in them an appreciation and love of real food and cooking, both offering them a vehicle for their creativity and teaching them a crucial life skill that will serve them well in the future.
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We teach children about heritage and culture through food and cooking.  Where possible, we try to link in special events in the calendar year – e.g. Easter and Christmas making cooking fun and relevant for the children. Cooking also links to other areas of the curriculum. Where possible, cross-curricular links are made – for example when learning about Ancient Greeks the children researched Greek ingredients and made a Greek dish using pitta bread.
We are both passionate about food and cooking and believe strongly that we should pass on our enthusiasm, knowledge and skills to the next generation. We are thrilled that the curriculum gives us that opportunity.

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Links

Overview and Progression Documents

Science Progression Plan

Subject Annual Planner

Cookery Corner