All Saints Academy Plymouth (ASAP) is celebrating a major victory after Headteacher Scott Simpson-Horne won the prestigious Head of Fish competition, part of the Fish in Schools Hero programme. 

The competition saw school leaders from across the country demonstrate their commitment to teaching practical life skills to students, and Mr. Simpson-Horne's creativity and passion for healthy eating stood out.

Mr Simpson-Horne, who is deeply committed to promoting health and wellbeing among students, eagerly took up the challenge to teach a hands-on lesson about cooking a healthier version of fish and chips. 

The demonstration, which took place with a group of Year 7, 8 and 9 students showcased a variety of fish types – salmon, cod, and basa – alongside oven-baked sweet potato wedges, homemade tartare sauce, and a freshly made salad. The lesson was designed to teach students not only cooking techniques but also key topics such as sustainability, shopping locally, and budgeting for healthy meals.

As part of the competition, Mr. Simpson-Horne’s session included an interactive approach, allowing all students to participate in each element of the cooking process. Many students were introduced to new foods they had never tried before, and the session culminated in everyone enjoying the food that had been prepared. 

In the end the judges decided that All Saints was the ultimate winner but also picked two runners up. Each of the schools will now receive £100s worth of fresh fish from Wing of St Mawes – The Cornish Fishmonger, which will be used in food and nutrition lessons.

All Saints Academy Plymouth, which is part of the Ted Wragg Trust, is committed to, not only academic excellence, but also the personal development of students, ensuring they learn life skills that promote healthier lifestyles, sustainability, and independence.

The Fish in Schools Hero programme aims to give students the chance to prepare, cook, and enjoy fish before they leave school, helping them develop a lifelong appreciation for seafood. The initiative is funded by the Fishmongers’ Company’s Fisheries Charitable Trust and managed by the Food Teachers Centre and ensures that food teachers across the UK have the confidence and training to introduce fish-based dishes into the curriculum. 

Launched in 2020, the programme now extends throughout the UK. Head Of Fish is a yearly initiative open to all schools nationally to encourage headteachers to teach a lesson with fish to a class of Years 7, 8 and 9s. With the headteacher acting as a role model, they hope that it will encourage more students to prepare cook and taste fish and seafood. The programme is supported by local heroes: fishmongers, fish-loving chefs and fish suppliers. For more information, please visit https://foodteacherscentre.co.uk/fish-heroes/

Dr Eleanor Adamson from the Fishmongers Company said:

“I am extremely impressed by the willingness of Head Teachers across the country to put on an apron and teach a practical lesson with fish to KS3 students”.

Louise Davies, founder of the Food Teachers Centre said:

“I was particularly impressed with the creativity and passion shown by the All Saints Academy Head Teacher and the way that students were so obviously engaged with the lesson”.

Simon Gray, Food Teachers Centre, Senior Associate and the Fish in Schools Hero Programme Manager said: 

“The Head Teacher looked as though he was really enjoying himself, there was great interaction with the students and use of IT evidenced in the photographs. He was a standout for all the judges.”

Scott Simpson Horne, Headteacher at All Saints Academy Plymouth said:

“I’m passionate about helping students develop essential life skills that they can carry with them beyond school. It was also an opportunity to have a bit of fun and cook together – who wouldn’t jump at the chance of doing that?! As you know, our children are just brilliant and having the opportunity to share a ‘home-cooked’ meal with them was a real highlight.”