The new education bill will be announced in the autumn term. Whilst we cannot predict the changes to the current curriculum, press releases indicate that changes are being discussed by the Coalition government. Until then, the DSCF (now DfE) funded food curriculum programmes are continuing as normal (Teach Food Technology, Licence to Cook, Food in Schools).
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Compulsory food technology from 2011
Launched by Alan Johnson and Ed Balls in January 2008 as part of the joint obesity strategy 'Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives', food technology will be a compulsory key stage 3 curriculum requirement for every 11-14 year old from September 2011.
How will the curriculum be delivered?
The curriculum will be delivered through food technology lessons, involving practical cooking lessons and classes on diet, nutrition, hygiene and healthy food shopping. The new secondary curriculum, introduced in September 2008, deliberately focuses on practical cooking skills and knowledge, and less on food manufacturing processes, packaging and marketing.
What about schools that do not have food technology facilities?
The DFE estimates that approximately 85% of secondary schools currently offer food technology and have their own teaching facilities; however all remaining secondary schools will build or modernise good food technology facilities and equipment on their own site or share at neighbouring schools or colleges so that every child can learn in up to date kitchens ready for 2011. In late 2008/early 2009, local authorities were offered the opportunity to support their schools without any cooking facilities and to bid for part of the £150 million of DFE funding for the installation of new food technology areas. Details of this can be found on the Teachernet website.
Will there be any financial help for students on free school meals?
Yes. The Government will target an extra £2.5 million a year when lessons become compulsory to cover or subsidise the cost of cooking ingredients for pupils on free school meals, to ensure that no child is disadvantaged.
What will the students be making in these lessons?
There are no details yet but in his announcement Ed Balls said “simple cooking is a fundamental skill that every person should master – it is at the heart of tackling obesity and will enable future generations to understand food, diet and nutrition, and put together healthy meals for their entire lives."
Who will teach these lessons?
A funded programme, Teach Food Technology, will support teachers who are not food specialists to deliver high quality food technology lessons. The TDA is also committed to increasing the number of specialist food teachers. Training for food specialist Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) is being provided to ensure that there is appropriate support available in schools - please contact your local authority HLTA lead person for more information and guidance (www.tda.gov.uk/hlta) or email HLTA@data.org.uk.
How does this affect the Licence to Cook programme?
The non-statutory cooking entitlement (Licence to Cook) for 11-16 year olds started in September 2008. The programme is being offered to all secondary schools so that all pupils are entitled to learn cooking, whether or not their school currently offers food technology. This will mean everyone gets the opportunities, whether through cooking clubs, activity weeks or normal lessons, until food technology becomes compulsory as part of the curriculum in 2011.