FOOD EDUCATION
MAPPING PROJECT
OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND
“It’s Time to Take Food Education Seriously” (National Food Strategy, 2021)
At Best Food Forward, our mission is to increase access to great food education for young people. Now more than ever, understanding how to cook, how the food system works and how it impacts on our health, wellbeing and our environment is a vital life skill for every young person. That is why Best Food Forward believes food education must play an integral part of a child’s school experience.
Currently, there is a lack of information about how food education is being delivered in secondary schools across England. That is why the team need to hear the ‘voice of schools’ to understand what is going on, what’s working well and what are the challenges in delivering excellent food education.
Over the next 18 months, the researchers will be gathering evidence from a range of stakeholders and speaking with schools to gain a thorough understanding of the food education landscape. Once equipped with this knowledge, the team aim to build support for the importance of food education and the positive impact it can have on young people’s life outcomes.
JAKE BARWOOD
Joint Strategic Lead for Mapping Secondary School Food Education
Part of the wider Best Food Forward team.
"Our mapping research is crucial in gaining a greater understanding of the food education landscape and how secondary schools are delivering their food education, how food education connects to other parts of the curriculum and wider school experience. I believe in the importance of food education and the impact that it can have on young people’s life outcomes and that’s why we’re trying to shine some light on this area."
"During the teenage years, young people develop the skills and habits that support their future wellbeing and attainment. Secondary school is a fantastic time to provide food education in a safe space that builds on their natural curiosity and desire to learn alongside their peers. Cooking meals, eating together, learning how to budget and shop, and how our everyday decisions impact on the environment can all support their journeys to independence."
ROSINA BORRELLI
Joint Strategic Lead for Mapping Secondary School Food Education
Part of the wider Best Food Forward team.
Facilities, budgets, class time and size are all challenging factors for schools delivering food education
Food learning progression has been limited with the loss of the Food A Level in 2016
Young people are interested in food and how it impacts on their health and the planet
The food sector is the largest employer in the UK, covering farming, production, hospitality and more
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER!
