At Queensgate we believe cooking is a crucial life skill. All children will develop a passion for quality food, recognising food as being central to family life, the community and well-being.
Intent
The cookery suite offers learners the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of food preparation and nutrition. The practical and theoretical skills learners will acquire throughout the curriculum, will empower them to work confidently and independently whilst developing valuable life skills. Learners will become self-sufficient and have a contextual understanding of current diet related health issues within society.
Implementation
Queensgate supports learners from reception through to year 6, starting with knowledge and basic cookery skills and promoting and developing them through to an inclusive learner led environment. Pupils are encouraged to take care of their own learning through planning and self-assessment tasks. The stimulating environment is supportive, where learners of all abilities are treated with equality and respect. They have the opportunity to access experiential learning, to help deepen their knowledge and understanding of food preparation and nutrition. Children get to experience cookery sessions through practical skills and educational visits. They get a hands on approach and exposure to a wide range of vocabulary, as well as the opportunity to explore different cultures and cuisines. This enables learners to deepen their understanding of food and where it comes from in the wider world.
Embedded within the D.T. cooking curriculum are links to English, History, Maths, Geography, Science, P.E. and P.S.H.E. These are implemented through learners developing skills such as measuring, timing, reading, writing, following instructions and understanding how food contributes to their physical and mental well-being.
Impact
The clear focus and approach to the D.T. cooking curriculum leads to sustained levels of progress for individual’s learner attainment by the end of KS2 is consistently high and all learners will leave Queensgate being able to prepare and cook a healthy 3 course meal. The fundamental skills acquired allow our learners to leave primary school and progress to high school as confident, reflective and competent young cooks.