The intent of our Food curriculum is to equip pupils, with a range of different abilities, with the confidence, life skills and knowledge they need to be effective learners so they may have as fulfilled, independent and successful futures as possible in line with the The Willows School ‘I can’ ethos. 

The curriculum is based around the EYFS and NC levels at KS1, 2 and 3 endpoints and is supportive but ambitious.  It has been designed and sequenced with an ‘expose to all’ ethos, where we use themed weeks for all classes from L1 to U4 e.g. during Bread Week, L3 may make a basic bread product with support but U2 would revisit bread making and apply it to a more complex bread-based recipe independently.  There is a repetition to the learning, so students revisit and practice skills and embed knowledge. This repetitive learning technique strengthens long term memory through structured repetition. By reviewing concepts at regular intervals, children can improve recall and build deeper understanding over time. They work through the Teaching and Learning cycle to develop skills and support increasing independent learning.

It recognises children’s prior and future learning and abilities. It provides a range of different learning experiences and ways of evaluating, makes positive links to careers and the world around us, celebrates self and peer evaluation, includes cross curricular work (e.g. practical numeracy, science and literacy), allows the students to develop interpersonal skills, build problem solving skills and resilience to encourage students to be more confident, creative and independent in their cooking.