School children will be taught how to cook spaghetti bolognese

It forms part of a government scheme to get children to improve both their diet and culinary skills, and will be formally launched on Monday.

Under the plan there will be 24 one- hour classes for 11 to 16-year-olds and once completed children will receive a "licence to cook" certificate.

The courses will not be compulsory, but from 2008 all schools must offer them.

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said: "We want to see a resurgence in the art of cookery.

"All kids will now get the chance to learn hands-on cookery."

Currently students may be taught some food skills during their Design and Technology (D&T) lessons, but they are usually theoretical and normally focus on health and safety.

The spokesman said: "Schools could have it as part of their D&T over the course of an academic year, or it could be done as an after-school club.