Leiths

This course gives pupils one of the most important life skills anyone can have. Not only does it teach them how to cook good, healthy food, but it also gives a step up on the employment ladder should they wish to put their skills to use cooking for families, working in restaurants, delis or ski chalets, or any other related cooking work during a gap year, holidays or beyond.

Leiths School of Food and Wine is the most prestigious and respected cookery school in the country and enjoys a reputation for producing practical, professional and well-rounded cooks. This course has been specifically designed to teach the basic skills necessary to become a confident, capable and efficient cook. The dishes prepared are interesting, with an increasing degree of skill required, providing a balance between classical methods and modern recipes.

This course runs for a total of five terms over the Sixth Form. Pupils are required to complete a set number of practical sessions (3 hours per week) as well as a piece of menu planning coursework. Pupils are also required to attend a wine tasting lecture. Preparation for each practical session involves studying the theory of the practical skills being taught as well as producing a time plan. This would normally take around 1 ½ - 2 hours work outside the classroom each week. The course culminates in a short theory examination and an externally assessed practical examination during Lent term of the U6.

The dishes range from family-style meals to those of dinner party standard. Along with all of these wonderful cooking skills, the course teaches neat presentation, efficient kitchen method and correct food hygiene. One of the lessons focuses on wine tasting and how to pair it with food, and is conducted by a wine specialist from Leiths.

To gain the Leiths Introductory Certificate in Food and Wine, pupils must pass both practical and theory examinations, which are administered and moderated by Leiths. Added to these marks is a system of continual assessment that encompasses food tasting, kitchen method, time plans, tests and one piece of written coursework in the form of a menu-planning exercise. Girls also take the most basic of hygiene examinations: a qualification required for any type of cooking-related employment. The Introductory Certificate carries three levels of Pass: Pass, Merit and Distinction.

Course fees are divided into four equal payments and collected over the first four terms of the Sixth Form. Course fees are paid to Leiths in full at the beginning of the first term, which means no refund is possible if your daughter decides to withdraw from the course during any of the five terms. Fees for courses that started September 2022 course are £2,200; this may increase for courses starting September 2023.

Sherborne Girls Bradford Road Sherborne Dorset DT9 3QN