BUDDING chefs at Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School have been given a not-so-secret ingredient they hope will prove the recipe for success.

Catering facilities at the school, in Wordsworth Road, Accrington, have undergone a major refurbishment worth £250,000.

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Four kitchens have been created in a new food technology department, while a multitude of new top-of-the-range appliances have been fitted.

Twenty-five students at a time can now experience life in a modern kitchen as they bid to become the next Jamie Oliver or Nigella Lawson.

Mount Carmel’s head of technology, Richard Clegg, said: “It is an amazing transformation of the department. The pupils are really impressed with the new build and are excited to see the curriculum being delivered in inspirational new surroundings.”

Food technology teacher Helen Clarke, was who recently nominated as a ‘School Food Champion’, said: “Our students are enjoying cooking with the same ovens as used in the BBC’s ‘Bake Off’ programme, and the new induction hobs which speed up the process.

“The students are very positive and it’s proving beneficial for the teaching of catering at Mount Carmel.”

The department has been moved from its old spot on the first floor into a dedicated block on the ground floor.

It is close to the school’s ‘Twelve Star Diner’ and an outdoor dining area.

Lessons have been taking place there since pupils returned following the Christmas and New Year break.

Phase two of the school’s refurbishment will see the existing design technology workshops upgraded.

Mount Carmel High School was rated outstanding in the quality of the welcome community, welfare, and witness, following a Salford Diocese Inspection late last year.

The school made headlines earlier this week after banning the use of the word ‘homework’.

Head teacher Xavier Bowers told the Lancashire Telegraph despite the school using the term ‘home learning’, students were still expected to put in effort out of school hours.

The move was given top marks by local politicians and educationalists.

Mr Bowers said: “I wanted to emphasise this is not work which is a burden or for which you get paid but learning which is a lifelong process that goes on outside the classroom.”