A Derby school which caters for children with a range of special educational needs and disabilities is hoping that their brand-new Learning Kitchen will help pupils to gain new skills.
St Giles School, on Hampshire Road, is the only special primary school in the city. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted inspectors, St Giles aims to meet the needs of pupils aged four to 11 years.
The school’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA) have raised £15,600 through various events to help fund the Learning Kitchen at St Giles, which all children will have daily access to.
Royal Crown Derby and Benchmarx, a kitchen and joinery company, have donated appliances and units in the kitchen.
The kitchen has adjustable work surfaces including an adjustable sink and hob to enable youngsters of varying heights – and those in wheelchairs – access to the cooking and preparation area.
There are two cookers plus an adjustable hob, three sinks, a fridge, freezer and dishwasher in the Learning Kitchen. Pupils of Dolphin Class being the first to use it to make delicious pitta pizzas and omelettes.
Clive Lawrence, Headteacher at St Giles School, said: “We are extremely grateful to our PTA, Royal Crown Derby and Benchmarx who have helped fund the Learning Kitchen.
“Food technology is a vital skill for our pupils. The pupils will have an opportunity to grow their own fruit and vegetables and then use these to create their own meals. Through this, our children will have a good understanding of where their food comes from.
“The Learning Kitchen has been made accessible thanks to the school’s Communication Practioner, Karen Brownhill, who has made specialist signs and symbols to support pupils’ communication and understanding.”
ENDS
Picture shows: Pupils from St Giles School in Derby celebrate the opening of their Learning Kitchen.
For further information please contact Kerry Ganly at Penguin PR on 01332 416228 or email kerry@penguinpr.co.uk
