Year 7's first practical lesson in Rossall kitchen

This week, our students step into Rossall Kitchen for their very first practical lesson. Aprons are tied, chopping boards are set, and the atmosphere is full of excitement as they learn one of the most important foundations of safe cookery: the bridge and claw knife techniques. These essential skills help them chop with confidence and precision, and it’s wonderful to see so many focused faces as they put them into practice for the first time.

This is just the beginning of their culinary journey. Throughout the term, students will build on these basics, learning how to use the oven, hob, and grill, as well as exploring safe food storage. Already, they are beginning to apply their classroom knowledge of food allergies and intolerances, showing real awareness of the needs of others as they prepare food.

The Rossall Kitchen is designed to help students grow step by step. By Year 11, pupils will graduate to advanced skills such as filleting a whole fish and portioning a chicken, a remarkable transformation from these first knife cuts in Year 7.

Cooking is more than just a life skill; studies show that learning to cook boosts confidence, improves healthy eating habits, and strengthens vital academic skills such as maths, science, and organisation. Today’s students are not only learning how to chop safely, they are laying the foundations for independence, creativity, and resilience both in and out of the kitchen.

The photos tell the story: concentration, determination, and a sense of pride in mastering something new. From these first knife skills to the complex techniques they’ll tackle in years to come, the journey is underway and it begins right here in  Rossall Kitchen.