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Catering

Mission Statement

The DLC kitchen aims to provide a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where nutritious food contributes to the wellbeing, stability, and positive development of every pupil. This is achieved with the use of relational practice and PACE, ensuring that all pupils feel like part of the team and able to achieve. Through high standards of food safety and a “one Pupil, One Plan” approach, we support the wider goals of DLC in helping our pupils feel valued, supported, and ready to engage in learning. 

Meet the Catering Department

Intent

At Dorchester Learning Centre the intent of the Catering course is to inspire a love of cooking, give the opportunity for the students to work as a team and provide them with a learning environment as close to a professional kitchen as we can. The sessions are student led, giving them the opportunity to plan the dishes that they want to eat and share. The course is almost entirely practical, giving the students the time needed in order to develop their kitchen techniques, practical skills, teamwork, and easing the transition between school and further education or employment.  

 

Our curriculum outcomes are: 

  • Demonstrate basic cooking and food preparation skills. 

  • Follow simple recipes and instructions safely. 

  • Use kitchen equipment correctly and responsibly. 

  • Understand the importance of handwashing, cleanliness, and safe food handling. 

  • Recognise basic food safety rules and regulations. 

  • Learn how to maintain a safe kitchen environment. 

  • Develop awareness of how food affects physical and mental wellbeing. 

  • Understand the importance of healthy eating and balanced meals. 

Implementation

At Dorchester Learning centre, the students work towards gaining Levels 1 and 2 in food hygiene and kitchen safety. Their weekly sessions are all planned in order to give the student the information they will need to complete the assessments in short, uncomplicated exercises, but with the emphasis on practical experience. The assessments take place when the learner has gained enough kitchen experience, shown a commitment to gaining the qualification and most importantly, feels ready.  

Impact

The impact of our curriculum and our “One Pupil, One Plan approach” can be seen through: 

  • Greater attendance in Catering sessions 

  • Pupils building confidence and independence through practical tasks. 

  • Pupils developing responsibility and teamwork while working in the kitchen. 

  • Pupils improving focus, patience, and problem-solving skills. 

  • Pupils gaining skills that support independent living, such as planning and preparing simple meals 

  • Pupils developing time management, organisation, and communication skills. 

  • Pupils building skills that may support future training or employment in catering or hospitality. 

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