Capital Funding for new practical cooking spaces in schools

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) intend to make food technology compulsory in maintained schools teaching Key Stage 3 from September 2011. This initiative derives from the Secretary of State announcement that learning to cook a range of simple, nutritious meals from basic ingredients should be a compulsory entitlement for every 11-14 year old in a maintained school.

In order to ensure that all schools have suitable facilities the DCSF are making capital funding available to support the installation of food technology areas in Secondary schools and in those Special schools that will deliver the entitlement where there is currently none. Local Authorities have been asked to identify schools that fall into this category.

Funding of £300,000 per food technology area is available but only for schools that do not have a food technology area (including practical kitchens) or no convenient access to facilities in another establishment.

Funding will not be available for existing facilities that require refurbishment or expansion. The timescale to claim this funding is very tight so if you feel you fall into this category please contact Jane Blackwell or 01603 222287 by 10th October 2008 at the very latest