A presentation ceremony took place within Ayr Academy where 55 students from the school from S3, S4 and S5 classes received Elementary Food Hygiene Certificates. The certificates were presented by Peter Midgley, Head of Food Law Enforcement from the Foods Standards Agency.

Home Economics Departments within South Ayrshire Council secondary schools recognised a demand for formal training in food hygiene. There are a number of students who once they leave school wish to secure employment in the hospitality industry, and the certificate will be of great benefit to them.

£12,000 funding for this project was provided by the Foods Standards Agency, which was used to register students with the Royal Environmental Health Institute for Scotland, (REHIS), and to fund the purchase of resources to enable effective teaching to take place.

After presenting the certificates Peter Midgley said: "This is an excellent initiative and I'm delighted to be here today to participate in this celebration of the success of the students, the schools, and South Ayrshire Council.

"Food hygiene education is an investment and this training will help ensure these youngsters can play their part in reducing foodborne illness, both now and in the future."

Prior to the students undertaking the course all Council Home Economics staff from the secondary schools spent an afternoon with a trainer from the REHIS who updated them on the content of the course.

The course, which was run earlier this year, provided students with an opportunity to learn about:

• Correct storage of perishable food
• Cross contamination of raw and cooked food
• How to store and rotate dry goods
• Correct way to clean food preparation equipment
• Examples of good practice carried out within school dining halls

• Theory lessons
• Practical tasks
• Group discussions
• Powerpoint presentations
• Interactive whiteboard tasks
• Quizzes
• Presentations by teachers
• Videos
• Workbook and information book used for homework assignments
• Guest chefs

A total of 1228 students from the nine South Ayrshire Council secondary schools have received certificates, which were presented at ceremonies in their respective schools.

For further information about the Food Standards Agency, or for the latest news and information about food log on to their website at www.food.gov.uk.

Pictured after the presentation ceremony are the students with (left to right) Elma Watson, Principal Teacher Home Economics Carrick Academy and Co-ordinator of the project, Peter Midgley, Head of Food Law Enforcement at the Foods Standards Agency and David Mathieson, Head Teacher at Ayr Academy.

September 2005