The new kitchen features six fully equipped cooking stations, as well as a dedicated tasting area, providing pupils with an inspiring and practical environment in which to develop their culinary skills.

 The Cookery Studio will be used by pupils across the school. As part of the Design Technology curriculum, pupils in Years 3–9 will have the opportunity to develop their Food Technology skills, learning about ingredients, nutrition, preparation and cooking. Our Pre-prep pupils will also make use of the studio as part of their Life Skills programme, developing independence and confidence through simple, age-appropriate cooking activities. The Cookery Studio will also support learning across other areas of the curriculum. In Science, for example, pupils can explore nutrition and the properties and changes of ingredients, while Maths can come to life through practical work on weighing, measuring, quantities and scaling recipes. In History, pupils might research and make Anzac biscuits, exploring their links to the First World War and considering how families made use of simple, readily available ingredients.

The new space will also provide opportunities beyond the curriculum, with a range of weekly after-school clubs. Prep pupils can get creative in the Baking Club, while senior pupils will have the opportunity to develop their skills in the Senior School Cooking Club.

Head, Sue Knox said:

“We are delighted to open our new Cookery Studio and to see this wonderful space take on a new life. Developing practical skills is such an important part of our pupils’ education, and this fantastic facility will give children from Pre-Prep through to Year 11 the opportunity to learn, create and grow in confidence. Whether they are mastering a new recipe, exploring nutrition or simply enjoying cooking together, we hope the Studio will become a place where our pupils develop skills that they will carry with them throughout their lives.”

The opening of the Cookery Studio is another exciting addition to the facilities at Duke of Kent School and reflects our commitment to providing pupils with opportunities to learn through practical, hands-on experiences.

We look forward to seeing plenty of creativity, collaboration and delicious results coming out of the Cookery Studio in the months ahead!