In the Navy … Springwood High School pupils learn you can cook against the clock
Potential recruits were challenged to prepare a two-course meal against the clock, when Navy career advisors visited Springwood High School.
A group of 35 Year 10 students at Springwood took part in the Ready Steady Cook-style competition, which required them to work in teams to make a chicken pie and sticky toffee pudding from scratch within an hour-and-a-quarter time limit.
The contest formed just one part of the day, which saw three Navy representatives visit the high school on Tuesday, December 12 to outline the varied career paths on offer to school leavers interested in joining the UK’s naval force.
“They started the morning with a careers drive explaining the amazing opportunities of signing up for the Navy, including the discounts for shopping, holidays, the time given to playing favourite sport and being paid to do so, and even representing Team GB if good enough, as well as the different roles there are in the Navy,” explained Haley Hoare, Food Teacher at Springwood and organiser of the event.
“Kat, Jason and Mike, part of the specialist Attraction Team, talked through logistics and focused on the catering/chef element through running the Ready Steady Cook session, but also explained that there are over 100 roles within the Navy, such as being a nurse, engineering, pilot, and being on a submarine, and these roles belong to different branches within the Navy.”
It was the first time the event had taken place at the school, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.
“The Navy Ready Steady Cook hasn’t happened before at Springwood, so it was a new challenge for us, and a future partnership has been forged, as we will definitely be having them back in the future,” continued Miss Hoare.
“All of the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience, learnt new skills working as a team, and produced some really great food. They also learn a lot about the Navy and the career options within the Navy for them."
She added: “These events are so important at schools, because they enrich the children’s learning, they learn new skills, develop confidence, and see what options there are career-wise in the Navy, and even after leaving the service and how the Navy will support you with this.
“Year 10 has taken much away from this day – not only have they learnt about career options within the Navy, but they have also had some hands-on experience of cooking two, high-skill dishes that will help prepare them for their GCSE in Food and Nutrition.
“They were all surprised at how good it tasted and that they had made it. Well done, Year 10, you have done us proud. We salute you!”
