The IndependentSchool Food Plan

What's worked well:

Some great new resources have been introduced to help schools with their food education and practical cooking. TES online launched a new dedicated food education section and Countryside Classroom is connecting schools with food, farming and the national environment. Public Health England and the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) have produced a competency framework outlining the knowledge and skills expected of primary and secondary school teachers who teach food. They help schools implement the requirements for food within the new National Curriculum for Design and Technology (D&T) in England and the Core Competences for Children and Young People aged 5 to 16 years (and GCSE for secondary schools).

Snippets of success:

Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE

Taking the lead from the new cooking curriculum, the Department for Education launched a new ‘Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE’. Some great new courses have been developed, with Heston Blumenthal adding spice to the new curriculum.

My Cooking Counts

Earlier this year, the British Nutrition Foundation, in collaboration with Meat and Education and ADHB, launched My Cooking Counts. My Cooking Counts is a free online resource to help students and teachers to achieve the Department for Education’s ambition, set in the School Food Plan, for every child to be able to cook five savoury dishes by 16 years of age. It helps secondary school pupils track what they cook, identify key food skills demonstrated and review the main ingredients used. It allows teachers to monitor and track pupils’ achievements, demonstrate progression and provide detailed reports.  

Food Teachers Centre

Food Teachers Centre is a self-help network for secondary teachers. There are over 3,500 active members, and 2,500 have attended teaching events across the country in the last two years. Food Teachers Centre provides a platform to exchange best practice, give advice and support and keep up to date with latest curriculum changes.