At William Ford, we believe every child deserves the skills and confidence to eat well and live healthily. That's why cooking is built into our curriculum, not left as an occasional treat. Every class takes part in a two-hour cookery lesson every three weeks, led by our school cook in our own purpose-built pupil kitchen.

We're proud that our kitchen is generously sponsored by Ninja. Their air fryers now sit at the heart of our lessons, and there's a good reason for that. Air fryers are a common feature in family kitchens across our community, so we want children to leave William Ford knowing how to use the equipment they'll actually find at home. Alongside traditional methods, pupils learn to cook healthy, tasty meals using air fryers, including dishes and flavours from around the world.

This isn't just about following a recipe. Children explore where food comes from, why a balanced diet matters, and how small choices add up to a healthy life. Many take what they've learnt home, and parents regularly tell us their children are trying new, healthier meals as a result.

The programme also opens children's eyes to the world of work. Led by our own school cook, pupils get a genuine insight into what a career in cookery and catering looks like, from kitchen discipline to menu planning, helping them see it as a real and achievable future.

Healthy, fulfilled, empowered to make a difference: cooking in the curriculum is one small but powerful way we help every child at William Ford thrive.