The only way for our children to eat better is for us all to eat better. Children have to be taught how to cook nutritious food, both in school and at home. They have to reconnect with what food looks like, how it really tastes (not covered in salt, sugar, batter and flavourings). If this is not happening, then any attempt to make them eat healthily, whilst their parents eat something else will be seen as simple hypocrisy and it is bound to fail.
My children's school teaches cookery and they work each term towards an award. My daughter got her Bronze award in year 7, her Silver with Merit in year 8 and is working towards her Gold in year 9. I did have an issue with the teacher she had last year who told her that only unhealthy people can catch salmonella! It's more dangerous if you aren't healthy, but ANYONE can get it from poorly prepared and cooked food.
___________________________________________________________________________ Formally known as Jamiesnightmare, which was just too much of a mouthful!
Well I've had to do Health and Hygiene training and I also now have NVQ level 1 under my belt. I wonder what cookery teachers have to do with regards to Health and Hygiene training?
___________________________________________________________________________ Formally known as Jamiesnightmare, which was just too much of a mouthful!
Thats a brilliant idea that your school does though, to reward children with awards. that should be a standard practice in all schools starting at primary.
It is a good idea. Her school is one of the few high schols that still does cookery lessons. And this year she also gets to do a Health and Hygiene element as well. The award scheme is a Sainsbury's one!
___________________________________________________________________________ Formally known as Jamiesnightmare, which was just too much of a mouthful!
I don't think she liked kids. Once someone asked her why we were making cakes when we were supposed to be healthy and she just yelled. She also blamed us for her cake turning out wrong even though we didn't go near it
I am actually running a cookery club at the school and last year we had about 25% of the school trying to join. I had to split it into four year groups. I found that it didn't matter what they prepared, they ate it, including stir fried cabbbage and carrots, natural yoghurt raita and vegetable soup. Once they are involved they eat it.
Well...i am proud to say many years ago i acheived an A* in food tech. I am now running a cookery class at my school but am having issues with my co teachers who think to make it fun i should teach them how to cook rice crispie cakes? Is it me or am i going mad?
************************************************************************ I'm fed up with being the best friend, I need to get meself some gumption and be the leading lady!
Originally posted by Rebel54: Well I've had to do Health and Hygiene training and I also now have NVQ level 1 under my belt. I wonder what cookery teachers have to do with regards to Health and Hygiene training?
meh - Basically the years 7-9 in a secondary school is just to break in the thought of food to children, what child at that age wants to learn about healthy eating... They want to experiment.
year 10-11 become more based on nutrition and healthy eating. These are the years that the children listen more and take food that more seriously.
I took food tech for my GSCE/GNVQ - it was all based on food nutrition and healthy eating. The teacher showed us the good points and bad points in food to great detail. I learned a lot from her.
Now am a chef (NVQ2, lvl 2 food hygeine, lvl 2 food saftey) in the forces.. I've never looked back
But then again, that was at my school. The teaching was tip-top
Wow! What wise words! So there are others out there who share our philosophie! We are Streetchef and stepping in Jamies Schooldinners footsteps! We are giving out homemade food on school play grounds! Everybody get`s free (homemade) recipes too. We hope to get more people back in the kitchen to cook realistic everyday food for the whole family. On our web page you can get free recipes too! Have a look and tell me what you think! x Streetchef
I disagree that health and nutrition should be left until KS4. I think the idea of a balanced diet should start at primary level. It's fairly simple to understand that you should eat more fruit and veg than biscuits and crisps!
I also think primary children should be exposed to more than just baking - preparing veg and meat and cooking meals shouldn't be left until their teens.
Unfortunatly, schools can only do so much. Parents are the biggest influence and at the moment too many of us seem to putting the responsibility on schools. Its parents that set the expectations for family meals, a proper diet and cooking skills.
(I think the idea of schools offering a Health & Hygiene certificate to 16 year olds is great - loads of young people get their first jobs in catering).
