New rooms for Food Technology

If you are lucky enough to be having your food room refurbished or a new one built the D&T Association website has useful information on the building regulations and the guidance for D&T rooms. For members there are case studies in the Resource Vault and from the online shop the Quick Step Guide ‘Designing Your New D&T Department’ contains good general guidance on the process.

A guidance document ‘Food Technology Spaces in Secondary Schools - A Design Guide’ ISBN: 978-1-84775-435-6 can also be downloaded here.

'Building Bulletin 81: Design and Technology Accommodation in Secondary Schools A Design Guide’ is available to download from a number of places on the internet

The Design and Technology Association advises that the advice provided in the Building Bulletin and companion website is used as a standard reference for matters of accommodation, room design and layout.

Groups sizes in D&T

As a general guide, and consistent with the guidelines in Building Bulletin 81 and BS 4163:2007, group size should continue to be in the order of 20/21. In Scotland and Northern Ireland there is a legal maximum of 20 and there is little evidence to show that the needs in England and Wales warrant a different treatment.

Health and Safety

The health and safety section provides details of health and safety policy, risk assessment in relation to group size and equipment used, strategies for students and risk assessment methods within all D&T teaching areas.

Providing ingredients

The Association has provided this briefing paper to assist members in considering the issues around food ingredients. Available here.

Which suppliers to choose?

There are many suppliers out there and many of their products are similar although the best advice is to find a local school that has used the supplier and see the installation for yourself. Colleagues will give a good insight into the good and bad points. If you are a D&T Association member we may be able to put you in touch with a local branch member who has recently upgraded their facilities, so that you can visit them or discuss by phone/email.

 Your starting point must be with your curriculum needs – not just now, but thinking ahead to any changes and the impact that these will have for D&T food. Sit down with the food team and write a wish list – not just for food equipment, but for the room as well. You may not get it all but it is a good way to focus the mind on what you and the department really wants. Think about such things as whether you want to have all fixed units or tables that can be moved to give you a different configuration according to need. ICT space is another area to consider.

You may wish to consider the following companies – they will need clear guidance on exactly what you want!

Steelplan Kitchens Ltd 0844 809 9186   http://www.steelplan.com   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Klick Technology Ltd 0161 998 9726 - (ask for Julie) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it    www.klicktechnology.co.uk

Crossbrook Furniture 01992 557000 www.crossbrookfurniture.co.uk

Key Stage Design 01942 526201 www.keystage.com

Thorpe Kilworth Ltd 01536 273427 www.thorpekilworth.co.uk  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Please mention the D&T Association if you contact these companies.