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Practical cookery lessons are to become a compulsory part of the curriculum for 11 to 14-year-olds, the Department for Children, Schools and Families

From 2011 all schools will be expected to provide pupils with a term of basic cooking skills lessons, but schools which already have food technology facilities will be required to start the classes in September this year.

In order to help schools implement the scheme, which is part of the government's drive to combat obesity, 800 new food technology teachers and teaching assistants will be trained during the next three years.

The government is also planning to make £2.5 million a year available to cover the costs of ingredients for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Linda Buonaiuto, head of food and catering at Jo Richardson Community School in Essex, welcomed the news, telling BBC One's Lunchtime News it would help children to pick up some useful skills.

"Obviously they are enjoying what they're doing … But more long term are the benefits where they can actually cook for themselves," she added.

Related Tags :

• General
• National Curriculum

Last Edited Date : January 24 2008 9:01 am