FOOD News

Crewe Teacher Wins National Award for Bringing Food Education to Life

Mrs Randle, Head of Food at SWS, has been named Food Educator of the Year in the 2025 Jamie Oliver Good School Food Awards, recognising her exceptional work in turning food education into a powerful, hands-on experience for every student and much of the community too.

Mrs Randle's impact runs deep and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. She was nominated not just by colleagues, but by her own family and local MP Connor Naismith, who praised her unwavering commitment to building confidence, community and healthy habits through food. Their words, full of admiration and gratitude, helped secure her place as this year’s national winner.

Over the past 25 years, Mrs Randle has created a school-wide culture where food brings people together, inspires careers, builds confidence, and offers real-life skills that last far beyond the classroom.

Jamie Oliver said:

“Sara’s the kind of teacher who changes lives. She’s shown that good food education isn’t just about cooking, it can also spark confidence, curiosity and connection. She’s a total star, and I’m so pleased we can celebrate her.”

From Rooftop Gardens to Charity Bake Sales

Her classroom stretches well beyond four walls. She recently secured funding to build a rooftop allotment, wildflower meadow, and school pond, helping pupils grow their own ingredients as part of a true “farm to fork” journey. Students learn where their food comes from—and how to cook with it. Trips to local farms, food factories and hospitality businesses give students real-world exposure, while in-school sessions with professional chefs help spark ambition and show what’s possible in food careers.
 
She also invites local primary schools into her classroom, ensuring children as young as Year 2 get the chance to cook fresh meals. And in her after school cooking clubs, students often cook alongside family members, strengthening bonds and sparking joy around the dinner table.

Putting Kindness on the Curriculum

Mrs Randle's passion is matched only by her kindness. She makes sure no student misses out, often covering costs for trips or ingredients herself. She’s led charity bake sales and helps pupils cook for local homeless organisations, showing how food can nourish others, too.

Local MP Connor Naismith, who also nominated her, wrote:

"Sara has built a vibrant, inclusive food culture where students learn about nutrition, sustainability, and the power of food to bring people together. Her impact is felt by students, staff, parents, and the wider community."

A Whole-School Force of Nature

Mrs Randle supports the school’s in-house food team, supports the canteen’s menus, and was instrumental in securing a Food for Life Award for the school. Every student leaves Key Stage 3 with the ability to cook a range of balanced meals from scratch—and adapt them creatively to suit any budget.

Lisa Coombs, Food Technician at SWS says:

“She’s always available—often even on her days off—and is usually the last to leave the building. She’s constantly coming up with new ideas. Her energy is incredible, but what truly sets her apart is how deeply she cares.”

The judging panel, which included Jessie & Lennie Ware, praised Sara’s “outstanding adoption of a whole-school approach” and the powerful testimonies from colleagues, family and even her local MP.

Jessie Ware, singer, podcaster and passionate food advocate, said:

“All of the candidates were very worthy winners, however Sara’s work is truly inspiring. She’s not just teaching recipes, she’s teaching confidence, care, and creativity. It’s clear how much her students and community adore her, and it’s a joy to see someone using food to make such a meaningful difference in young people’s lives.”

During the visit, Connor got stuck into some practical cooking and joined a class discussion about healthy eating and experiences of preparing food at home. He praised the school's efforts to ensure young people leave school with the knowledge they need to live healthier lives.

“Every child should leave school with the knowledge and skills they need to cook healthy food from scratch,” said Connor. “While some children take on food at GCSE and gain those skills, it was clear from listening to Sara that others aren’t equipped to prepare fresh, nutritious meals if they don’t take such an interest in the subject. That must change.”

Connor was also shown a range of environmental and sustainability projects taking place on-site. He met students working on the creation of a pond under the guidance of Andrew Stubbs from Cheshire Wildlife Trust, as well as new planting beds and wildflowers forming part of a rooftop garden. The garden is being developed with support from central government funding and led jointly by Mrs Randle and Andrew Stubbs.

Mrs Randle also outlined future plans for an apple orchard at the front of the school, which will not only support lessons in food but also be open to local groups such as Chance Changing Lives, helping strengthen the school’s connection with its community:

“At Sir William Stanier School, we believe food education is a vital part of a young person’s learning. Through hands-on cooking and projects like the Ministry of Food, we are not just teaching recipes - we are helping students understand where their food comes from, how to make healthier choices, and how to care for the environment. It’s about broadening their classroom experience and giving them life skills that last well beyond school. Our work with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust supports this even further, helping students connect what they learn in the kitchen with the natural world around them. I'm very proud of our students and the work that we do here with them.”

Connor added:

“It was fantastic to see such inspiring work going on - not only teaching young people to cook, but also connecting them with nature and sustainability. I’m really grateful to Mrs Randle, Andrew, and the pupils for welcoming me today.”

SWS has achieved the prestigious Foundation Food Award from the Food for Life initiative. This nationally-recognised framework celebrates their commitment to providing high quality food education and promoting sustainable practices within the school community.

The hard work of our Food Department, working alongside the Catering Manager has made this achievement possible. With a focus on integrating food education into lessons and whole-school events, our students have enriched their understanding of nutrition and healthy eating.

Community initiatives have helped to emphasize the importance of community in our food journey as follows:

• Activities that involve parents in school cooking experiences
• Charity bake sales
• Regular cooking for local homeless and vulnerable people charities .

Efforts to ensure the sustainability of ingredients and offer diverse options in school meals also reflect our dedication to creating a positive food culture.

‘This award is a significant milestone, especially considering it is typically achieved by only a select few secondary schools. We encourage other schools within our trust to consider applying for this award as well. Our Food Department is more than happy to share insights and assist with the application process.'

Sara Randle, Curriculum Leader for Food

---

Mrs Randle Wins Fish Hero Teacher Award

Mrs Randle, Curriculum Leader of Food at Sir William Stanier, has been recognised with a prestigious Fish Hero Teacher Award at the National Fish Hero Teacher Awards and Conference, held at the historic Fishmongers’ Hall in London. Hosted by the Fishmongers’ Company and the Food Teachers Centre, the event celebrated the success of the Fish in Schools Hero programme, which ensures pupils across the UK get the chance to prepare, cook and eat fish during their time at school.
 
Mrs Randle was selected from hundreds of teachers nationwide for her outstanding work inspiring students to gain confidence with fish cookery, explore healthy eating, and learn about sustainability, seafood species, and careers in the fishing industry. Her efforts have given students in Crewe, Cheshire  valuable, hands-on experiences that many would not otherwise access.

Mrs Randle said

“It’s a huge honour to receive this award. Seeing students excited to cook and taste fish, many for the first time, is incredibly rewarding.”

Over the last six years, the Fish in Schools Hero programme, funded by the Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust, and managed by the Food Teachers Centre, has delivered free fish to schools, provided teacher training, and supported creative classroom learning. Thanks to this support, our students have been part of a national effort to address falling fish consumption and inspire the next generation of confident, informed home cooks. For more about the programme, visit: https://foodteacherscentre.co.uk/fish-heroes/