Make Cooking and Food Education a Mandatory Part of the UK School Curriculum
We call on the Department for Education to make practical cooking and food education a compulsory part of the national curriculum for all primary and secondary school pupils.
Signatures
21
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 21/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 21/100,000
- 24 MAR 2026Petition rejectedalready-happening
The National Curriculum for Design and Technology (D&T) requires maintained schools to teach pupils about food, nutrition, how to cook and healthy eating. Cooking and nutrition is a discrete strand of the D&T curriculum and cooking is compulsory in maintained schools for key stages 1 to 3 (ages 5-14). The curriculum aims to teach children how to cook, with an emphasis on savoury dishes, and how to apply the principles of healthy eating and nutrition.
- 25 FEB 2026Petition created
Background
Cooking is a fundamental life skill. Many young people leave school without knowing how to prepare simple, healthy, affordable meals. This has serious consequences for public health and long-term wellbeing.
The UK faces rising levels of obesity, diet-related illness, and food insecurity. According to the National Health Service, poor diet is a major contributor to preventable diseases. Teaching children how to cook from scratch empowers them to make healthier choices for life.