Compulsory cookery returns to schools with every child taught to make shepherd's pie

Teenagers will be taught to make traditional English staples such as shepherd's pie and roast beef, as well as Mediterranean and eastern dishes.

It is hoped the classes will encourage teenagers to cook fresh, healthy meals instead of relying on processed foods.

Heads expressed concern over the plans, saying there was a shortage of specialist cookery teachers.

They have warned that many new schools do not have kitchens.

Critics have long complained that the demise of domestic science in the school curriculum left a generation unable to follow a basic recipe.

The subject was merged with design and technology in 1992 and practical cookery was squeezed out as a result.

Ofsted has revealed that pupils often learned "trivia" such as "arranging toppings decoratively on a pizza", instead of basic skills such as making dough.

Others used computer design programmes to produce drawings of icing on cakes - but never actually learned to bake. Only 85 per cent of schools currently offer food technology classes.

From September this year, all of these must teach pupils aged between 11 and 14 practical cookery, Schools Secretary Ed Balls is set to announce Wednesday.

The remaining 15 per cent of secondaries in England will be expected to introduce the compulsory classes by 2011.

But John Dunford, of the Association of School and College Leaders, criticised the proposals, saying: "Just six months ago, ministers promised heads greater flexibility in the curriculum for 11 to 14-year-olds.

"Now they have fallen at the first fence, creating another entitlement and more compulsion for this age group.

"The Government should never have downgraded practical cookery, substituting, for example, 'design a picnic' for the skills of making picnic food.

"In the intervening years, schools have been built or refurbished without practical cookery rooms. There is also a shortage of cookery teachers, who will take time to recruit."

The scheme forms part of the Government's obesity strategy which Mr Balls is launching with Health Secretary Alan Johnson.

Suggestions for possible dishes include spaghetti bolognese, fish pie, shepherd's pie, traditional roast dinners, soups and Thai or Indian curries.

Mr Balls will also reveal a crackdown on unhealthy packed lunches today. Heads will be expected to tell parents that fizzy drinks and high-fat snacks can no longer be brought into schools.