Taking the kitchen to the classroom to fight childhood obesity

More than one in five children in their final year of primary school now live with obesity, according to government figures. Experts in food and health say one way to tackle the problem could be through more hands-on cookery lessons in schools.

But with tight budgets and limited classroom space, bringing this idea to life isn’t always easy. That’s where Leiths Education, founded by renowned chef and TV personality Prue Leith, steps in. The organisation offers a free programme that allows pupils to learn to cook without ever leaving the classroom.

Several hundred schools across the country have already adopted the “kitchen in the classroom” approach, using induction hobs, chopping boards and utensils that can be wheeled in and out of lessons. The goal is to give children practical skills and encourage healthy eating habits from a young age.

Some schools, like Newbury’s John Rankin Nursery, Infants and Juniors, take a more traditional route. Larger than most primary schools, it boasts a fully equipped kitchen funded by its Parents, Teachers and Friends Association.

Head teacher Flora Cooper says: “Having this kitchen is a game-changer. It allows us to make cooking part of the curriculum in a way that’s engaging and hands-on.”

Year 6 pupils spend up to two hours preparing dishes such as spaghetti bolognese, learning to chop onions, grate carrots and stir mince or vegetarian alternatives under the guidance of teacher Maria Curtis.

“It’s about igniting a passion in them and giving them opportunities they might not otherwise have to try new things,” she explains. Ten-year-old Edith agrees: “When you’re an adult, you’ll need to cook. If you don’t learn it in school, you might never learn it at all.”

Leiths Education’s CEO Maria Dunbar says even schools without a permanent kitchen can teach cooking skills. “We provide video tutorials, chopping boards, knives and other essentials. Children learn to cook at their desks and the equipment can be stored away until the next lesson. It works brilliantly,” she adds.

The government has also signalled its commitment. Following a 2014 Act requiring schools to teach children and parents about healthy meals, the current Labour administration has pledged to create “the healthiest generation of children in history,” with cookery and nutrition lessons forming a key part of the curriculum.