Cambridgeshire students perfect their bakes in newly refurbished food rooms
St Ivo Academy in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, part of Astrea Academy Trust, has been awarded ‘match’ funding by the Savoy Education Trust to update their food and nutrition area. The school applied for a £36,000 grant to match the same amount already contributed by Astrea, who oversee St Ivo Academy. The total amount of £72,000 means the school has been able to refurbish two student food rooms, each kitted out with 10 electric ovens, extraction facilities, new sinks, taps, worktops, a TV and new utensils. This refurb will enable students to progress in hospitality and food and nutrition throughout their time at St Ivo.
To contribute to the refurb, students and their families set up fundraising through their house systems at school lunch times, with activities running weekly, including staff darts, cakes, a book sale, ‘where’s wally’ and more. These funds went directly to help buy new equipment, support student learning and understanding of the hospitality industry.
Kelly Evans, Head of Department, Food and Nutrition said:
“This refit is absolutely brilliant. Our old food rooms were installed many years ago, whilst they have served our students well, the move to a modern learning environment brings many benefits. Changing from gas to electric ovens will increase the capacity of cooking lessons for all year groups, with faster and more efficient cooking. Food and Nutrition is one of our most popular GCSE choices by students and I am so pleased that they are now able to make use of these excellent facilities.”
Jessica Pearce, Principal at St Ivo Academy said:
“I am delighted we have been able to upgrade our food rooms, after grant funding from the Savoy Education Trust and Astrea Academy Trust. The food curriculum is incredibly popular at St Ivo, where students learn cookery in their first few years and then can opt for it as a GCSE or an A Level at Sixth Form. This grant will make a huge difference to the students and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved with making this refurb happen.”
Angela Maher FIH, Chief Executive, Savoy Educational Trust said:
“Providing students with high-quality learning environments is fundamental to inspiring the next generation of hospitality professionals. By supporting the refurbishment of these food and nutrition rooms, we are helping to ensure that more young people can raise their aspirations, develop valuable practical skills and explore the many opportunities within hospitality that can lead to rewarding long-term careers. We are delighted to support St Ivo Academy and look forward to seeing the positive impact these new facilities will have for many years to come.”
The refurbishment took place over the summer holidays, with students returning to school taking food and nutrition lessons in the brand new, updated facilities. The school would like to thank Octavius for donating aprons and pasta machines, HBC Kitchens and Bathrooms in St Ivo for supplying the kitchens and The Cambridge Sign Company for the new signage.
