Cowes Enterprise College managed to gain country-wide awareness this week after a story about a pupil being banned from donating her mother’s home-baked cakes to a charity sale hit the national newspapers.
Kirsty Hippolite, mother of 12 year old Georgie who attends Cowes Enterprise College, had beavered away to bake cakes for her daughter to take into school for an end of term charity cake sale.
Food hygiene certificate?
She told reporters that she was amazed when she received a call from a teacher at the school who asked whether she had a food hygiene certificate.
After she told him that she hadn’t, but just enjoyed baking at home, the teacher went on to say that the cakes would not be able to be sold to other pupils, adding that if something went wrong and a child got ill because of her cakes, they could take legal action against the school.
OK for teachers though
He did however, go on to say that they could be sold to the teachers.
James Stewart, Interim Head from Cowes Enterprise College said,
“Clearly the safety of our students is of paramount importance so we have followed the recommended guidance. Pupils were still able to sell their cakes. Pupils have also made cakes at school in the food technology area and sold these when they have been supervised by qualified staff.
“Home-baked cakes which were not sold were left in the staff room, where staff could leave a donation. Well done to all our pupils in raising money for their chosen charities.”
Bill Murphy, Isle of Wight Council head of planning and regulatory services told OnTheWight this morning,
“While it is indeed accurate that generally people preparing food for public consumption must be registered with the Environmental Health department, parents making the occasional cake to sell at a school event do not need to be registered. I am sure though that the teacher clearly had the best of intentions for the health and safety of their students.
“The council is very keen to support community events such as school fetes or village fayres and our Environmental Health service is more than happy to provide advice and guidance to organisers to ensure their day goes ahead with no problems.”
