What do we do?

At Wightwick Hall School, we teach cookery to help students develop the practical skills, independence and confidence needed for everyday life. Cookery lessons provide meaningful opportunities to learn about food, health, nutrition and personal wellbeing in a highly practical and engaging way.

Our curriculum supports learners with a wide range of Special Educational Needs to develop essential life skills such as food preparation, hygiene, planning, budgeting and safe kitchen practice. Through hands on learning, students become more confident in making choices, following instructions and understanding the importance of healthy living.

Cookery also enhances communication, social interaction and teamwork, ensuring every learner is supported to progress towards their EHCP and Preparation for Adulthood outcomes.

How do we do it?

We deliver a structured, sequential and fully adapted cookery curriculum that provides clear progression from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5.

Curriculum Structure and Skills Development

Students learn key areas such as:

• basic food preparation
• safe use of equipment
• hygiene routines
• healthy eating and nutrition
• budgeting and shopping
• kitchen organisation
• following recipes
• evaluating dishes and making improvements

Skills are taught through repeated practice, visual modelling, scaffolding and step by step instructions. Recipes are carefully chosen to build confidence and independence over time.

Assessment and Personalisation

• Learning is tailored using EHCP outcomes and individual sensory or motor needs.
• Formative assessment is used throughout lessons through observation, communication, questioning and practical demonstration.
• Summative assessment is built through food portfolios, photographs, student self evaluation and progress towards life skills targets.
• Students are supported with visual prompts, adapted tools, simplified recipes or communication aids where needed.

Health, Safety and Independence

• Students learn safe use of kitchen equipment including knives, ovens, hobs and microwaves.
• Routines for handwashing, cleaning, food storage and organisation are embedded into every lesson.
• Learners are encouraged to take responsibility for their workspace, tidy up independently and work with increasing autonomy.

Cross Curricular Links

Cookery reinforces learning from:

• Maths: measuring, timing, budgeting
• English: reading instructions, sequencing
• Science: changes in materials, nutrition
• PSHE: healthy living, self care, choice making
• Life Skills: planning meals, shopping, independent living

Preparation for Adulthood

Cookery is a vital strand in developing independence for post 16 life. Students practise:

• menu planning
• shopping in the community
• using money and comparing prices
• preparing simple meals at home
• making healthy choices
• working safely in a home or work kitchen

These experiences support smooth transition to college, supported living, employment or home independence.

How enrichment enhances cookery

• Breakfast club, school café and enterprise events allow students to cook for real customers.
• Visits to supermarkets, cafes and restaurants develop confidence in community settings.
• Seasonal events such as Christmas baking, street food projects or cultural cooking broaden understanding of the wider world.
• After school cooking clubs reinforce skills in a relaxed, social environment.

SMSC Development

Cookery nurtures spiritual, moral, social and cultural development by enabling students to:

• explore cultural dishes and traditions
• develop gratitude, patience and pride in their achievements
• work cooperatively and share tasks
• make ethical decisions about food waste and sustainability
• experience the joy of creating something meaningful for themselves or others

Why do we do it?

We teach cookery because it empowers students with essential skills that support their independence, wellbeing and future success.

Top 5 Impacts

1. Increased Independence and Life Skills
Students learn to prepare food safely and confidently, supporting long term independence and readiness for adult life.

2. Improved Motor, Cognitive and Organisational Skills
Cookery strengthens fine motor control, sequencing, planning, memory and problem solving.

3. Enhanced Social Communication and Confidence
Working in shared spaces encourages teamwork, turn taking, communication and responsibility.

4. Better Understanding of Health and Nutrition
Students develop lifelong habits that support physical health, wellbeing and informed food choices.

5. Higher Engagement and Motivation
Cookery is fun, sensory and hands on, helping students take pride in their achievements and engage more deeply with learning.