News
The weather has finally changed, and it is definately autumnal!
So, just in case..............
In the event of bad weather please check the following website
http://schoolclosures.suffolk.gov.uk
Please make sure your child brings a warm coat to school!
Jamie Oliver came to visit
A spur-of-the-moment visit by Jamie Oliver was the highlight of the week for the children of Orford primary School whose pioneering kitchen classroom has been running for two years as a pilot project for the Jamie Oliver Foundation
Since March 2009, the kitchen classroom - thought to be a first for a primary school in the UK – has been giving the school's lucky pupils new cooking skills at the same time as teaching them their core curriculum subjects such as maths, literacy and science . Lasagne, fish pie, Stir fried greens, pancakes with apples in fudge sauce are some of the meals that they will cook - and then eat for their lunch. Up to ten children can be taught at one time, sharing six cookers. The successful project represents the combined efforts of the local community, a unique educational charity Eastfeast, and Jamie Oliver's right-hand woman, Louise Holland.
The visit was Jamie’s first to Orford and he was hugely inspired by what he saw. The Jamie Oliver Foundation aims to use this Suffolk school as a template to expand kitchen gardens and classrooms to many more schools across the UK over the next 10 years.
Jamie said: “Orford is like a shining beacon showing the way forward for all primaries. The work of cookery teacher Kate Kilburn, headteacher Mr Green and all the parents and kids is just wonderful to see. They’re so clued up about food and nutrition and they just show so much passion for cooking that it’s incredible. It’s what I’ve always said – inspire the kids early and they’ll carry a love of food and an understanding of the importance of cooking from fresh all through their lives.
“I’ve worked in a lot of primary schools and it’s sad to say that I know of very few with these dedicated kitchen facilities in and outside of the classroom. I have been monitoring the Government’s efforts for the last seven years and absolutely, change is starting to happen for the better. There is no one answer for solving the epidemic of bad public health but I can promise and assure you that what happens in primary schools sets kids on the right path and uses the tax-payers’ money efficiently . What happens in our primary schools has the most effect and is top of my priority list.
“I would like to say that the Government will be doing something about this problem but I think if there is to be change you have to do it for yourselves. Orford is a wonderful pilot, a fantastic community project, a great guide for others and one we hope to roll out to other primaries in the UK next year with the help of more local and national businesses. So, if you are or know of any businesses or community members that would like to get involved in the Orford project or our national plans, please get in touch with my foundation. We would love to hear from you.
All it is is putting it back to how it used to be. I hope it offers a constructive blueprint for the future - every child deserves it.”
Ends
For further information please contact The Jamie Oliver Foundations’ School Projects Manager, Michelle Smith on michelle.smith@jamieoliver.com
Forms and information to download
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Our Learning platform
Link to your login page for DB
http://orford.suffolk.dbprimary.com/service/util/login?path=/suffolk/primary/orford
Archived material:
Our kitchen classroom featured in The Independent: 'Why cooking should be on the primary school menu'