Photo 22

This space for students is next to the canteen and coffee area. Here students can meet and chat in a lovely informal area. The school has done a great deal to create a learning and working environment for the students that is relaxed, supportive and full of an enthusiasm for learning. Many of the students who are in this school have not found their previous school experiences very positive so everyone works hard to build the confidence and self esteem of the students in very conscious ways.

Photo 21

The students under the supervision of the teachers also provide food and coffee in the canteen area. While I was there last week the students were learning the art of coffee making and practiced their skills by producing delicious coffee fro customers. Staff and students participated enthusiastically  and after the students had learnt about the theory of making coffee and all the skills that go to make up this activity they had the immediate chance to put their learning into practice. the teacher observed their work, provided them with assistance and posed problems for them to solve.

Photo 20

As you can see there are a number of workspaces for the students to use. Each workstation is fully equipped so the students can work on their food preparation in groups. Each lesson is a mixture of theory and practice and the students find this a very good way to learn.

Photo 19

Here is a very modern oven where the bread and buns are made

Photo 18

Another view of the commercial kitchen where the students do their practical work

Photo 17

Here is another view of the commercial kitchen. The students learn about occupational health and safety and begin with the preparation of simple dishes and move onto to more complex cooking under the supervision of the teacher. The teacher uses a lot of problem based learning with the students to encourage them to become good problem solvers and independent thinkers.

Photo 16

This is the interior of the commercial kitchen where the teacher works with the students preparing food and beverages. As you can see it is very well equipped. This is where the students do their practical work. The students enjoy working in groups and individually in the commercial kitchen and this gives them the immediate chance to put the theory into practice.