In being accepted by The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts to deliver Adopt a School, it is expected that this Code of Conduct for Chefs & Volunteers be adhered to at all times. Failure to comply may result in being removed from the programme.

Training

All chefs must attend an Adopt a School (AAS) in-person training session prior to the delivery of their first AAS food lesson. We also recommend that you shadow an AAS regional chef prior to participation. You should also be prepared to be observed by a member of the AAS team at any time.

Schools, Registration and Consent Forms

The AAS team will work with you to onboard an appropriate school and will make the initial introduction. It is imperative that you visit the school in-person prior to delivering any sessions. This meeting should be between yourself, the teacher in charge of the class food session, the class teacher, and any other relevant party (i.e. healthy schools co-ordinator, cookery club teacher). All schools are required to complete and return (to Head Office) a registration form, a new school survey document, an allergy form, and a photo permission form and chefs and volunteers should always ask the class teacher to identify any children with allergies / intolerances at the start of each session.

Arranging sessions

By agreeing to ‘adopt a school’, you are committing to delivering three sessions, per school, per academic year. It is your responsibility to organise the dates with the school and to inform the Adopt a School team of any planned visit(s) and details of the activities you will be undertaking. It is your responsibility to reconfirm sessions one week before you are due into the school.

Equipment & resources

Adopt a School is a registered charity and will supply: one chef’s hat per child, one apron per child, tongue poster, and printable sheets. We ask that consideration be given to resources and that waste be avoided wherever possible. Children should re-use their hats for all sessions. Schools should store these in between sessions. It is the responsibility of the chef to supply all other disposables, resources, and ingredients. Consideration should be given to compostable and recyclable materials and promotion of freshly prepared seasonal produce.

Personal appearance

It is a requirement that all chefs dress appropriately i.e. to wear clean, pressed whites, hat, and apron our tyour company’s kitchen uniform. All other standard personal hygiene requirements should also be adhered to.

Food Hygiene

Current and standard food hygiene standards to be adhered to, both in preparation of food, storage & transportation, and delivery within the school.

Delivery of sessions

Further guidance for delivery should be taken from the AAS Resource Pack and training videos and lesson plans must be followed. It is an expectation that our chefs arrive at least one hour before a session to set up. Setting up should include: the use of hygiene wipes, chopping boards, and hand gel if required. Hand washing is essential before, during and after sessions.

Ingredients and Allergies

All ingredients to be vegetarian (unless checked with the school in advance) and always nut free. We also request that all dishes are healthy and discourage excessive use of fats, sugar and salt. We encourage use of fresh, seasonal produce.

Use of knives

Children will work with child-friendly knives. Children will be taught to handle knives properly and use the “bridge & claw” method for cutting.

Representation

It should be remembered that you are representing Adopt a School, The Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, your workplace and the industry. You are therefore required to act in a professional manner at all times.

Photos/Media/PR

Your schools will be asked to complete a photo permission form prior to your sessions. If we get permission to re-use photographs taken during the sessions this also includes their use on social media. You will have these permissions confirmed to you. If we do not achieve this permission – do not take any photos or videos during the session.

Discipline

It is not the place of our chefs or volunteers to discipline children during sessions. You should seek help and guidance from the class teacher, teaching assistant or head teacher. If discipline is an issue, please contact the AAS team.

DBS checks

It is essential that you are supervised by a school representative (teacher, teaching assistant, food teacher) at all times. Schools may request that you undertake a DBS check prior to participation in Adopt a School. This will incur a cost to you or your employer. Please contact head office to help you with this process.

Change of Employment

When delivering the Adopt a School sessions, you will be representing the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts’ Adopt a School Trust and your current employer. Should you leave your current employment, please notify us immediately for confirmation to continue.