As part of their Geography learning on Bangladesh, the children explored the country’s rich culture through its food—bringing their studies to life in a fun, hands-on way. The classroom was filled with the wonderful sights and smells of traditional cooking as pupils were invited to sample a selection of authentic dishes.

The menu featured a range of flavours, giving pupils the opportunity to try something new and expand their palates. As they tasted each dish, the children thoughtfully shared their opinions, describing them as “super spicy”, “yummy”, “so-so”, or “not-for-me”—with plenty of enthusiastic reactions and even a few requests for seconds!

Alongside the tasting, pupils explored the spices used in Bangladeshi cooking—smelling, describing and discussing the different aromas and flavours. They also learnt about the Bindi, a traditional ‘tip’ worn on the forehead in Bangladesh and other South Asian cultures, symbolising different cultural and spiritual meanings. Pupils were given the option to have a Bindi applied while learning about its significance, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Adding a personal touch to the experience, Mrs Ryder shared stories from her own time travelling and spending time in Bangladesh before teaching, giving pupils fascinating insights into the incredible culture, traditions, and everyday life in the country.

Pupils later reflected on the café by writing their own restaurant-style reviews, combining Geography, literacy and sensory learning in a memorable and engaging way.

The Bangladeshi café was a wonderful example of cross-curricular learning in action, sparking curiosity and giving pupils a deeper understanding of the wider world.

A big thank you to the Year 1 team for creating such a flavourful, fun, and inspiring experience!