With the excitement of the Gardening and Cooking sessions beginning for Key stage 1 and Key stage 2 after half term we thought it was important that similar opportunities were provided for our younger children. 

 

Starting in the Autumn term our new reception children will have scheduled afternoon sessions each half term in the school kitchen preparing and cooking a range of different dishes.  This will support the Early Years curriculum and provide opportunities in the aspects of learning of Health and Self-Care, Maths, Moving and Handling and Understanding the World.  We will also make links with our new Reception garden that will be ready to use in the Autumn term.

 

Some important things for you to know:

• Children's health care plans need to be updated in detail on Laser as teachers will check these carefully for food allergies and intolerances when planning food preparation and will ensure certain ingredients are not used and that procedures are put in place to avoid cross-contamination where needed.
• Before the end of the school year the current  reception classes will have an introductory lesson in the school kitchen in preparation for their Gardening and Cooking lessons in Year 1.
• From the Autumn Term, to support the effective planning of the lessons, and to enable us to provide the best possible opportunities for all pupils, in-line with our Charging Policy a voluntary contribution of £4 (payable via Laser) will be requested for each child for each half term. This will ensure teachers can buy ingredients needed to supplement fresh ingredients provided by the school garden. Please remember to add the charge to your cashbook.
• Also from the Autumn Term pupils will also be asked to bring to school, on their allocated cooking day, a clearly labelled container. Pupils will then be able to bring home some/all of the food they have prepared at school to share with their families and friends.