At Willow Park, we understand the importance of food in our pupils’ lives. Our aim is to establish a consistent food provision and curriculum that promotes healthy living and active lifestyles. Many of our pupils enjoy the opportunity to cook, appreciating the immediate reward and sense of satisfaction they gain from the preparation, making, and consuming of food.

We are committed to delivering a comprehensive, pupil-centred approach to the teaching of food and nutrition. We are dedicated to creating a calm and purposeful learning environment that acknowledges the social, cultural, religious, and emotional significance of food. By taking a whole-school approach, we aim to plan lessons that support pupils’ food and nutrition learning needs based on their personal capabilities while considering allergies, intolerances, and food sensitivities. Through carefully planned and engaging lessons, we aim to show progression by building on prior knowledge to develop pupils' skills for independent living.

To engage pupils in their learning, it is essential that we tailor our teaching to each pupil’s learning journey. Lessons are planned to support pupils in developing their physical, emotional, and social health and wellbeing, as well as literacy and numeracy skills through real-life examples. Teachers will define what success looks like for individual pupils in food lessons and activities, setting clear learning intentions that are shared with pupils. We address the needs of each pupil while considering learning intent and measurable outcomes.

These opportunities may include providing pupils with the chance to acquire and develop skills in:

• Planning meals and drinks.
• Compiling shopping lists and following food budgets.
• Buying food in person and online, handling money, and understanding where food comes from.
• Storing food safely and cooking economically, including using canned/frozen food, safely using leftovers, and buying in bulk.

The scheme of work has been informed by the Core Competences for Children and Young People aged 5-16 years: this is a framework of skills and knowledge around food, diet and physical activity.

Core competences for children and young people aged 5-16 years

• The competences represent core skills and knowledge around the themes of Diet (food and drink), Consumer Awareness, Cooking (Food Preparation and Handling skills), Food Safety and Active Lifestyles (physical activity) and provide an essential benchmark.
• The competences are progressive and cumulative from one age phase to the next.
• They could be met at home, school or through other activities.
• They show essential knowledge and capability – they are neither a curriculum nor an examination specification.
• The competences reflect UK-wide practice.
• Their aim is to help children and young people to develop the skills and knowledge to make and implement healthy food choices.