Empowering Schools to Deliver Safe, Inclusive, and Curriculum-Aligned Cookery Lessons.
A Teacher’s Guide to Food Discovery Sessions is a practical, curriculum-aligned resource designed to empower schools in delivering safe, inclusive, and engaging cookery lessons. Developed by SIL’s Health & Wellbeing team, this cross-curricular guide blends pedagogical insight with hands-on food education to build pupils’ confidence, creativity, and independence.
This guide doesn’t just teach cooking; it cultivates a whole-school culture around food. It helps children become confident, curious, and capable chefs while supporting staff to deliver meaningful, inclusive, and safe learning experiences. Suitable for both primary and secondary settings, it offers step-by-step planning support, risk assessments, equipment lists, and inclusive adaptations, including tailored guidance for SEND learners. Whether you're introducing basic food skills or embedding healthy eating habits across the curriculum, this resource equips educators to create meaningful, accessible learning experiences for every child.
What’s Inside
- Complete Planning Support: Step-by-step guidance for delivering engaging cookery sessions, including risk assessments, lesson templates, and guidance and advice on using equipment lists for KS1–KS2.
- Curriculum Alignment: Fully mapped to the Design & Technology: Cooking & Nutrition curriculum, with cross-curricular links to Science, Maths, PSHE, Geography, and English.
- Inclusive Teaching Strategies: Allergy-aware planning and guidance on religious dietary needs.
- Skill Progression Framework: Age-appropriate food preparation techniques from EYFS to KS2, including knife skills, measuring, mixing, and hygiene.
- Whole-School Food Approach: Supports schools in embedding food education across assemblies, lunchtimes, and home engagement, aligned with Ofsted’s healthy eating expectations.
How It Supports Schools & Settings
- Boosts Pupil Confidence & Wellbeing: Encourages creativity, teamwork, and independence through hands-on learning.
- Supports Staff Delivery: Offers practical tips, safety protocols, and training guidance to ensure confident, compliant teaching.
- Promotes Sustainability & Cultural Awareness: Teaches children where food comes from, how it’s grown, and the importance of diverse diets.
- Sensory-Friendly Exploration: Includes the TasteEd approach to help children explore food without pressure, ideal for pupils with ARFID or sensory sensitivities.
Why You’ll Love It
- Helps meet statutory curriculum requirements while fostering a lifelong love of food and cooking.
- Encourages healthier eating habits and reduces food anxiety through playful, reflective activities.
- Equips staff with everything needed to run safe, inclusive, and impactful cookery sessions, from planning to evaluation.
Sneak a peek—click here!
