Funding from Extended Services was secured for three Saturday morning informal family learning taster sessions during July.   This was agreed as the school signed up to the Leading Parent Partnership Award being piloted across areas of Worcestershire and was committed to increasing the level of parental engagement.

The school has previously delivered a number of family learning sessions, but Debbie Mitchell, Head Teacher, was keen to target a core group of 12 Year 4 and 5 children, predominantly boys, who do not participate in after-school activities.

Big Chef Little Chef was led by Total Nutrition, two health professionals who have a wealth of experience with working with the community and pride themselves on healthy eating objectives.  The parents made a number of simple dishes that can be done at home.  A member of the teaching team was identified to support the three sessions and ensure progression to other family learning opportunities linked to raising achievement of this specific group.

Debbie said “one of the mums commented that she would feel more confident now about letting her children to adventurous things in the kitchen.  For example, she would never have let them do anything with a knife before!  All parents appreciated the non-threatening and non-judgmental way that the course leaders organised everything so that everyone felt very relaxed.  I was really impressed to see the children enjoying some foods that they have never eaten before such as homemade mackerel pate and raw vegetables with spicy soy sauce and sesame seed dips.  Delicious!