Cooking in Primary Schools

[Foodteacher]

Are primary schools managing to deliver Cooking in the Curriculum yet? I am trying to find out what is (or is not) happening since introduction of the New National Curriculum.
Any advice / comments gratefully received.

[Notcontent]

I would think that most schools don't have the facilities to do that. I did cooking in secondary school and I loved it. But we had two class rooms fitted out just for that purpose - with multiple kitchen work spaces, ovens , sinks, etc. This was a standard state school - but not in the uk.

[SunnySomer]

Only occasionally. My DS (y3) cooked twice this year: once tortillas (from scratch) and a bean chilli as part of a healthy body topic, then once some honey cakes as part of a Roman topic.
There is also a cooking club, but not regular cooking as part of the curriculum.

[Foodteacher]

Thanks for you comments. I've taught Food in secondary schools for years and virtually all students love the practical side. I really do think introducing it at an even earlier age can only be a good thing (particularly if it is linked to good eating habits).
I guess they cooked the cakes in school canteen ovens? I am looking at getting a 'pop up' cooking class going that can be taken into schools (hobs, ovens etc) but, firstly, need to check if there is a need and, secondly, find out if schools could fund it (we don't want to make a huge profit - just make a living.

[mrz]

Many primary schools use Baby Belling type cookers on a portable trolley. School kitchens are often out of bounds (all the large equipment in ours is the property of the catering contractor)

[mrz]

We have six trolleys and it's still difficult if cooking with a whole class to find hob or oven space.
I help run a cookery club after school with our Y5 teacher and would love a proper kitchen space to work.

[SunnySomer]

We have a small domestic-type kitchen that we use for cooking club, plus a load of "Hendy" pans - strongly advocated by the Schools' Food Trust, but I personally don't like them (difficult to wash, several have had non-stick surfaces damaged by over-enthusiastic stirring etc).
I agree that children love it, and the sooner they start learning kitchen skills the better.

[LibrariesGaveUsPower]

We are getting a kitchen as part of a big building project. A school one and a pupils one.

Not sure what year they will start using it. DD1 is just finishing year one and nothing yet. Lots of stuff on healthy eating though. And they've done various fruit tasting, etc.

[Lurkedforever1]

Ours does, not that regularly but what appears to be practical for the facilities and time available. And after school club do it on average once a week for those who want to join in

[padkin]

My children's Primary excelled at this, but mainly because as an Academy (no chain, just themselves) they prioritised food, growing vegetables, local sourcing, 'pupil voice' in terms of designing their menus etc as part of their curriculum. And they have a chef and kitchen team who are very involved in not only cooking the meals, but supporting the teaching of cooking and nutrition, and developing and delivering the curriculum. The Primary where I work, on the other hand, really struggles - lack of resources, space and equipment being the main barriers.

[Foodteacher]

Thank you for all your comments. I think Padkin's comment about the academy is what we would love to be able to establish in Primary Schools. Do any schools have experience of using outside companies to deliver cooking lessons? I know there are a few businesses doing it but don't know how much business they get (or how schools fund it).

[mrz]

Most schools don't have the spare cash to employ outside companies to teach regular lessons I'm afraid. Some might consider offering it as an after school club which oar ends pay for.