THE government is to give every secondary school pupil the right to take practical cookery classes in its latest concession to food campaigners led by Jamie Oliver, the celebrity chef.

Tomorrow, Alan Johnson, the education secretary, will announce that classes will be available across England from September 2008 for all children aged 11-16 who request them.

The classes will focus on ensuring that pupils can use basic ingredients rather than processed foods to “plan and prepare healthy, affordable meals from scratch”.

Johnson is expected to say: “This entitlement will ensure that all young people who want to learn will be given lessons in cookery basics . . . There is huge interest in cooking at the moment, mainly inspired by celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver.”

The education department has not yet decided how much money it will put into the plan. About 85% of schools teach food technology classes, but they do not always involve practical cooking.

Johnson’s plan, first recommended last year by the School Meals Review Panel, coincides with the introduction of new rules for school food from this month.

Lunches must now include regular servings of good-quality meat and fish as well as fruit and vegetables. Deep-fried food is restricted and from September 2007 fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolate will not be available from school vending machines.

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